There are a variety of different types of Lupus. Some Lupus sufferers will have to deal with swelling and joint pain, others will deal with fever and fatigue, but some end up dealing with numerous skin rashes and lesions. This type of skin lupus is more commonly known as Cutaneous Lupus.
Cutaneous Lupus is generally diagnosed by a doctor due to the patient going into their primary care provider’s office complaining of a rash. Because there is so many different ways the rash can occur, the doctor, if they suspect Lupus, may end up taking a small piece of the rash and sending it to a pathologist in order to have it biopsied. This is the best way to get a confirmed diagnosis of Lupus.
Once the Lupus has been confirmed, a primary care provider will probably send their patient to a dermatologist. Most dermatologists are better able to handle Cutaneous Lupus cases better than primary care providers are. After the dermatologist has examined the patient, they will be better able to give a treatment option.
One of the first treatment options that a dermatologist will offer is a corticosteroid cream. These ointments, when applied directly to the rash, are usually able to reduce the amount of swelling and redness significantly. If the corticosteroid cream does not work efficiently, the doctor may then end up injecting the corticosteroid directly into the rash area.
A very important part of treating Cutaneous Lupus is for the patient to use sunscreen. A lot of patients that have Cutaneous Lupus are very sensitive to light, and avoiding break outs is an opportune way to treat them before they occur. Sometimes sores or lesions can occur, and if they do occur, they may end up leaving significant scars.