Lupus can cause severe swelling and inflammation in various parts of the body. It is one such autoimmune disease that can affect almost everyone in a different way. Some people might experience severe symptoms whereas other might experience milder ones. The symptoms will generally surface in adulthood till the person reaches their 30s.
Common causes of lupus skin rash
The exact cause of lupus skin rash is yet to be found. Apparently, it has been noted that a combination of environmental triggers and genetics play a pivotal role in causing this disease. Moreover, this disease is not contagious which means it cannot pass from person to another. Some of the potential causes of lupus include the following:
- Sunlight: Too much exposure to sunlight may trigger lupus skin rash to those who have a genetic factor that could lead to the development of this disease.
- Infections: If one has some kind of infection, then that could cause skin rashes due to lupus.
- Medications: Certain blood-pressure medications, antibiotics, and anti-seizure medications can also trigger lupus. Those who develop lupus because of the medication they take will see an improvement in the condition once they stop using the medicine.
Common symptoms of lupus skin rash
Fatigue
Almost 90% of people in the country who suffer from lupus skin rash have experienced fatigue. Taking a nap in the afternoon helps many of them to get rid of that fatigue but sleeping for a more extended period of time during the day will cause insomnia. However, if one lives an active life, then they will be able to keep up their energy levels throughout the day.
Unexplained fever
One of the earliest symptoms of lupus skin rash is an unexplained fever. The temperature of the body will be around 98.5° F to 101° F. Therefore, one should consider visiting a doctor. However, those have lupus will face this kind of fever every now and then. This type of fever could also be an indication for some sort of infection in the body. Thus, if one has this type of recurrent fever, then they should make an appointment with the doctor.
Hair loss
The loss of hair is one of the primary symptoms of lupus. This is due to the inflammation on the scalp and skin. Some people who have lupus can lose their hair by the clump. The hair will also start thinning slowly. Additionally, the hair on the beard, eyelashes, eyebrows, and other body parts will also start becoming thinner. The hair will become brittle because of lupus and because of that one’s appearance could become ragged. However, if the hair fall is due to lupus, then when the treatment starts and the condition of the patient improves, the hair will start growing back once again.
Pulmonary issues
Inflammation caused in the pulmonary system could also be a symptom of lupus. The lungs could get inflamed and swelled. The swelling of the lungs could then extend to the blood vessels in the lungs. This condition will lead to chest pain at the time of breathing. After a certain time, due to lupus, the lungs could shrink in size and one could experience severe chest pain and shortness in breathing. This condition is referred to as shrinking or vanishing lung syndrome.
Kidney inflammation
People with lupus can also experience kidney inflammation occasionally which is known as nephritis. This inflammation could create problems for the kidney to clear the wastes and toxins from the blood. Nephritis could generally start after five years from the first occurrence of lupus. The symptoms of nephritis include the following:
- Swelling of the lower feet and legs
- Blood in the urine
- The color of the urine getting darker
- Frequent urination during night time
- Pain in one side
Painful and swollen joints
The inflammation that is generally associated with lupus will cause stiffness, pain, and swelling of the joints. At first, this may not be that visible, but after a certain period of time, the swelling of the joints will become visible. This symptom will also come and go like all other lupus symptoms. Over-the-counter medications for pain relief may not always be much of a help in this case. One would need to consult their doctor before the situation gets out of control so as to get effective and timely diagnosis and treatment.
Thyroid problems
It is quite common for people with lupus skin rash to develop thyroid disease. The primary function of thyroid gland is to control the body’s metabolism. Thus, a poorly functioning thyroid gland will affect the essential organs such as the brain, kidney, liver, and heart. It can also cause rapid weight gain or weight loss.
If one is experiencing the symptoms of lupus, then one should visit their doctor without any delay. Although the disease doesn’t pose life threats, it could cause serious health problems and delaying the treatment could make the matter worse.
