When someone has lupus, it can cause its own unique skin changes. One of the most common signs of Lupus is a rash that appears on the face. This rash is most often known as the “butterfly rash” as it often looks like a wings spread across the bridge of the nose and cheeks.
This rash can be red, purple or dark in color, and can be especially painful if exposed to sunlight.
Other skin changes that can be caused by lupus include sensitivity to sunlight, inflammation, blisters, and lesions. These can appear anywhere on the body, not just the face. In addition, lupus can cause dryness, redness and itching of the skin.
The surrounding skin can also become discolored, have a sensitive feeling or feel tight.
If any of these symptoms are present, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible since lupus is a chronic and potentially serious condition. With the right treatment, the symptoms of lupus can be better managed.
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What does the beginning of lupus look like?
The beginning of lupus can vary from person to person. Generally, the early stages of lupus involve inflammation in the body, which can cause symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, fatigue, hair loss, rashes, and fever.
Other common early signs of lupus can include swollen glands, sensitivity to the sun, red eyes, chest pain, and butterfly-shaped rash across the face. In some cases, organ involvement, such as high blood pressure, heart damage, and kidney problems, may occur in the early stages of lupus as well.
People with lupus may also experience changes in their mood, ranging from depression to anxiety, and difficulty concentrating or remembering things, commonly known as “brain fog. ” If you think you may have lupus, it is important to talk to your doctor in order to get an accurate diagnosis and start treatments early.
How does lupus start in the body?
Lupus is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, which means that it is caused by the body’s own immune system attacking normal, healthy tissues. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, the exact cause of lupus remains unknown.
It is believed, however, that a combination of factors, such as genetics, environment and hormones, lead to lupus.
It starts with the body’s immune system being unable to distinguish between its own tissues and foreign substances and attacking both. This misdirected immune system then sends antibodies to attack the body’s healthy tissues.
These antibodies create an inflammatory reaction, resulting in swelling, pain and tissue damage.
The inflammation that occurs with lupus often affects the joints, skin, brain, blood vessels, heart and lungs. In addition, inflammation can also lead to other medical problems such as anemia, kidney damage and low platelet counts.
Because lupus is an autoimmune disorder, it can be challenging to diagnose. Often, symptoms are nonspecific and can be seen in other conditions. It is important to speak to your doctor at the first signs so that appropriate tests can be done to diagnose lupus.
What age does lupus usually start?
Lupus usually starts at any age, but it most commonly develops between the ages of 15 and 44. Early-onset lupus starts in childhood or teenage years and late-onset lupus in adulthood. The peak age of diagnosis varies between different populations, with a higher prevalence of lupus among African Americans and in women.
People of Asian or Native American descent may also be at higher risk of developing lupus. Older people may develop lupus, but it appears to be rarer.
What is the number one symptom of lupus?
The number one symptom of lupus is fatigue. People affected by lupus will often experience extreme, long-term fatigue that is not relieved by rest. This symptom can come and go and increased activity or stress can make it worse.
Additionally, as a result of fatigue, people with lupus may be unable to enjoy activities they once found pleasurable and are unable to take part in their normal daily life routines. Other common symptoms of lupus include joint pain or swelling, a distinctive butterfly-shaped rash on the face, chest pain, hair loss, anemia, swollen glands or lymph nodes, a low red blood cell count, sensitive skin, and inflammation in the lungs, kidneys, and other parts of the body.
If you are experiencing any lupus symptoms, you should consult with your doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
Does lupus show up in blood work?
Yes, lupus can show up in blood work. Blood tests can help to confirm a diagnosis of lupus by measuring the levels of specific antibodies and inflammatory markers. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system when it identifies something as foreign.
Since lupus is an autoimmune disorder, it causes the immune system to produce antibodies that react with its own tissues. Testing for specific autoantibodies, including anti-nuclear antibody, anti-DNA antibody, anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies, can help identify lupus.
There are also other blood tests that measure inflammation markers, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). These tests can help determine the level of inflammation in the body and assist in monitoring the disease.
In addition, tests may also measure levels of specific cells, like white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. A complete blood count (CBC) can help to assess overall health.
How do you know if a lupus flare is coming?
It can be difficult to know if a lupus flare is coming because the symptoms of lupus flares vary from person to person. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that can be indicative of an oncoming lupus flare, such as: fatigue, joint pain, swollen or tender joints, fever, rash, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), poor appetite, hair loss, dry mouth, and an overall feeling of being unwell.
It is important to keep an eye out for any new or worsening symptoms that could signify an oncoming lupus flare. Additionally, if you have already been diagnosed with lupus, it can be helpful to keep an Lupus Flare Diary to log any symptoms, treatments, and any other changes in your health or lifestyle.
This can help your doctor identify potential lupus flare triggers and develop a plan to avoid them.
How do lupus flares start?
Lupus flares can start in a variety of ways, but often they can begin with an increase in fatigue, achy joints and muscles, and a low-grade fever. Lupus can also cause additional symptoms such as a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, hair loss, and mouth or nose ulcers.
Other possible symptoms of lupus include extreme exhaustion and difficulty concentrating, as well as a range of other issues affecting the skin, blood, heart, lungs and kidneys. Lupus flares can be brought on by exposure to sunlight, stress, certain medications and even having a cold.
For some people, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of their lupus flare.
What are weird lupus symptoms?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues, resulting in a wide range of symptoms. While individual experience of lupus can vary, common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, a butterfly-shaped rash on the face, hair loss, fever, chest pain, and Raynaud’s phenomenon (in which the fingers and toes become painfully white or blue in response to cold or stress).
Other weird or “atypical” lupus symptoms can include pain in the abdomen, anemia, seizures, mood swings, headaches (especially migraines), chest pain with deep breaths, an irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, dizziness, vision problems, confusion and difficulty concentrating, dry eyes and mouth, memory loss, and painful, red hands.
Lupus can also be associated with kidney inflammation, leading to protein and blood in urine, unplanned weight gain or loss, and high blood pressure.
Since lupus affects people differently, it is important to become familiar with your own particular body and to take note of any changes, no matter how small, that may occur. It is also important to keep a close eye on common lupus symptoms, as many of these symptoms can be managed with medication and lifestyle strategies.
If you are experiencing any of the weird or atypical lupus symptoms discussed here, or if any of your symptoms become more severe or frequent, it is important to contact your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
When should you suspect lupus?
If you have a combination of the following symptoms, you should suspect lupus:
• Unexplained fatigue and/or general malaise
• Joint swelling, pain and/or stiffness, especially in the morning
• Skin rashes, especially those that are triggered by sunlight and appear as a butterfly shape on the face
• Unusually low blood counts
• Abnormal kidney, liver and blood tests
• Changes in brain function, including short-term memory loss
• Finger ulcers or lesions
• Hair loss and other skin changes
• Chest pain
• Seizures and other forms of neurological symptoms
• Unexplained fevers or night sweats
If you experience any of these symptoms or if multiple symptoms are present, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility of lupus and get a proper diagnosis. It is important to note that any of the symptoms listed above can be a sign of other conditions as well.
How does lupus change your appearance?
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can cause a wide range of varying symptoms, but it can also cause changes in appearance. Physical changes that may occur as a result of lupus include rashes or lesions on the skin, which can be red, purple or even lighter in color.
These rashes may become quite severe, with scarring and lesions spreading across larger areas of the body. In addition, lupus can cause hair loss, especially around the face. This can lead to patchy balding, with smooth and shiny patches appearing on the scalp.
In extreme cases, lupus can even affect the eyes and make them appear red, swollen or painful. Overall, lupus can drastically alter one’s physical appearance, making one’s skin look discolored and the hair look patchy.
What are daily struggles with lupus?
Living with lupus can be a very difficult challenge, as it is an autoimmune disease that can affect any number of organs in the body. Those with lupus may experience a range of physical and mental fatigue, as well as a wide variety of other symptoms.
Some of the most common daily struggles with lupus include:
• Joint pain and stiffness – Lupus can trigger joint pain, swelling and stiffness, making it difficult to perform everyday activities.
• Brain fog – Many people with lupus experience what is often referred to as “brain fog”, which can make it difficult to concentrate, focus and remember simple tasks.
• Fatigue – Along with joint pain and brain fog, fatigue is one of the most common daily struggles for those with lupus. Fatigue can range from mild to extreme, making it difficult to get through the day.
• Fever and infections – Lupus can decrease the body’s ability to fight off infections, making it more vulnerable to viruses and other illnesses. People with lupus may also suffer from frequent fevers and other signs of infection.
• Discomfort and itching – Lupus can cause skin and scalp rashes that often produce inflammation, itching and other discomforts.
• Flares – Flares (or episodes of lupus symptoms) can appear suddenly and anywhere from several days to several weeks (or even longer in some cases). During flares, the symptoms of lupus worsen and can become quite severe.
With an understanding of the particular symptoms experienced, people with lupus can find ways to manage their condition and strive for a better quality of life. Having a support system, making lifestyle changes, taking the right medication and participating in regular physical activity are just a few strategies that can be used to cope with the daily struggles of living with lupus.
Do people with lupus look different?
No, people with lupus generally do not look different from anyone else. While there are some rare physical signs associated with lupus, they usually only appear in specific cases and are not always apparent.
The most notable physical sign of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks, although this is not necessarily indicative of a lupus diagnosis. Other physical signs can include sensitivity to the sun, pale or purple fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures, skin lesions, and joint swelling.
When lupus is left untreated, more severe physical symptoms may manifest, such as hair loss, mouth sores, and swollen lymph nodes. However, the vast majority of people living with lupus do not exhibit any of these signs, and they can lead active, healthy and normal lives.
What is lupus hair?
Lupus hair is a condition in which hair experiences excessive thinning or loss due to an overactive immune system. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body.
When the immune system is overactive, it can lead to tissue damage, which, in the case of hair, can cause hair loss. Lupus hair typically begins with thinning of the scalp hair and can eventually lead to total baldness.
Hair loss caused by lupus may come and go in episodes as the autoimmune disorder waxes and wanes. In addition, lupus hair can also lead to brittle hair, changes in color and texture, and hair that is slow to grow.
Treatment for lupus-related hair loss may include medication, topical ointments, laser therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Can lupus make your face droop?
Yes, lupus can make facial features, including the mouth and eyes, droop. This is due to inflammation of the muscles responsible for facial movements, a common symptom of the autoimmune disorder. Other signs of facial involvement of lupus include a butterfly rash across the nose and cheeks, and enlargement of the salivary glands, causing puffiness around the eyes.
In more severe cases of lupus, scarring of the skin and tissue can occur, leading to drooping of facial features as well as other signs of facial involvement. If a person suspects they have lupus, it is important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
