Home :: bark Disorders :: Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus - Symptoms And Treatment

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a anatomy of lupus erythematosus marked by chronic bark eruptions that, if untreated, can advance to scararena and permanent disfigurement. Abender 1 out of 20 patients with OLE backwardr develops systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Causes Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

The exact cause of Discoid lupus erythematosus is unknown, but some evidence suggests an autoimmune defect. An estimated 60% of patients with DLE are women in their backward twenties or older. This dis­affluence is attenuate in children.

Symptoms

DLE lesions are raised, red, scaling plaques, with follicular plugging and central atrophy. The raised bends and sunken centers accord them a breadlike appearance. Although these lesions can appear anywhere on the anatomy, they usually erupt on the face, scalp, aerial, close, and accoutrements or on any allotment of the anatomy that's exposed to sunlight.

Such lesions can resolve completely or may cause hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, atrophy, and scarring. Facial plaques sometimes assume the butterfly pattern characteristic of SLE. beard tends to beappear brittle or may abatement out in patches; alopecia can be permanent.

Diagnosis

As a aphorism, the patient history and the appearance of the adventurous itcocky are diagnostic. A lupus erythematosus corpuscle analysis is positive in fewer than 10% of patients. A bark biopsy of lesions reveals immunoglobulins or complement components. SLE charge be aphorismd out.

Treatment of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Patients with DLE should aabandoned prolonged expoabiding to the sun, fluorescent lighting, or reflected sunlight. They should abrasion protective clothing, use sunscreening agents, aabandoned engaging in outdoor activities duarena periods of best intense sunlight (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. ), and report any changes in the lesions. biologic treatment consists of topical, intralesional, or systemic medication, as in SLE.

Related information

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus