A chronic, autoimmune skin condition that manifests with a red, scaling rash, most often found on the face, ears, and scalp; these lesions often lead to permanent scarring and dyspigmentation. Patients may have lesions with or without other symptoms or antibodies suggestive of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Symptoms of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following features are indicative of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
facial rash
fatigue
fever
joint pain
joint stiffness
swelling
photosensitivity
Raynaud's phenomenon
shortness of breath
chest pain
dry eyes
confusion
memory loss
headache
It is possible that Discoid Lupus Erythematosus shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
Get TabletWise Pro
Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.
Common Causes of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following are the most common causes of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
genetic factors
environmental factors
hormonal factors
exposure to the sun
infections
medications
Risk Factors for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
woman
old age
Prevention of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
No, it is not possible to prevent Discoid Lupus Erythematosus.
autoimmune disease
unknown cause
Occurrence of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 15-60 years
Common Gender
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
Complete blood count: To calculate the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets as well as the amount of hemoglobin
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: To assess the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube in an hour
Kidney and liver assessment: To evaluate how well kidneys and liver are functioning
Urinalysis: To determine the increased protein level or red blood cells in the urine
Antinuclear antibody test: To detect the presence of the antibodies
Chest X-ray: To view the image of chest
Echocardiogram: To determine the problems with valves and other portions of heart
Biopsy: To evaluate the best treatment for lupus
Doctor for Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
Primary care provider
Rheumatologist
Clinical immunologist
Nephrologist
Hematologist
Dermatologist
Neurologist
Cardiologist
Endocrinologist
Psychologist
Complications of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus if untreated
Yes, Discoid Lupus Erythematosus causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is left untreated:
kidney damage
memory problems
blood problems
pleurisy
pericarditis
cancer
avascular necrosis
pregnancy complications
Self-care for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
Be sun smart: Avoid sun exposure
See doctor regularly: Having regular checkups may help doctor in preventing flare-ups
Get adequate rest: Relieves the persistent fatigue
Get regular exercise: Lowers the risk of heart attack and promote general well-being
Don't smoke: Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
Eat a healthy diet: Prevents the lupus flares
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus:
Fish oil supplements: Beneficial for people with lupus
Supplemental vitamin D: Beneficial for people with lupus
Supplements containing dehydroepiandrosterone hormone: Effective for people with lupus
Patient Support for Treatment of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
The following actions may help Discoid Lupus Erythematosus patients:
Learn about lupus: Makes patient more confident thus helps in treatment choices
Gather support among friends and family: Helps out when having flares
Take time: Cope with stress in life makes feel calm
Connect with others who have lupus: By joining support groups helps in facing many of the same obstacles and frustrations that you're facing with lupus
Time for Treatment of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus.