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One of the worst symptoms of lupus has to be the characteristic rash it causes. Commonly called a “butterfly rash” from the distinctive shape it creates across your face, the lupus rash makes life with lupus even more difficult. In spite of all the pain of lupus, you try to live a normal life only to find it impossible when you have such a visible mark on your face.
But what causes this distinctive lupus rash? And what can you do to manage it?
What Causes Lupus Rash?
To understand what causes lupus rash, you first have to understand lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. That means it’s actually your own body that causes lupus, rather than a virus or bacteria like those that cause many other illnesses.
You see, in a healthy immune system, your white blood cells produce something called antibodies. These antibodies target any bacteria or viruses that enter your body and destroy them. After your body destroys a foreign cell like this, it becomes conditioned to immediately recognize and attack that kind of cell in the future. This is why we are able to acquire immunities to certain diseases after being exposed to them.
But when you develop an autoimmune disease like lupus, your antibodies become conditioned to attack your own cells instead. And so, your antibodies begin to constantly attack your bodies own tissue. As a result, it becomes inflamed and begins to swell. Lupus attacks your body everywhere and can lead to inflammation of the heart and kidneys, which can be deadly if left untreated.
And the most obvious sign of the damage lupus does to your body is the distinctive lupus rash that develops on the face of some people with lupus. This rash typically spreads across both cheeks and across the center of the face, resulting in the distinctive “butterfly” shape.
No one is completely sure why lupus causes this type of rash, but the most compelling theory at the moment has to do with sunlight. It’s well-known that UV light seems to trigger this kind of rash in certain people. And we know that UV interacts with our skin cells, triggering melanin production.
It’s possible that the UV light alters the skin cells, which the immune system then identifies as a foreign cell and attacks, destroying them. The body then reacts to the destruction of these skin cells by producing more. And the runaway production of skin cells produces the kind of scaly rash we associate with lupus.
This theory is compelling because the same over-production of skin cells produces the rash in cases of psoriasis, which closely resembles the lupus rash.
What Can You Do To Treat It?
While we can’t cure lupus, there are a few things you can do to help manage the rash caused by lupus. First, practicing good skin health is often helpful. Avoid damaging UV rays by wearing protective clothing or hats and using a high-SPF sunscreen. It’s recommended that any sunscreen you use have an SPF rating of at least 30 for adequate protection.
You can also make sure that your skin is well-moisturized. Stay hydrated to help prevent your skin cells from drying out and becoming more susceptible to damage.
If you’re interested in medical options, your doctor can prescribe a number of drugs to help manage the inflammation that leads to the lupus rash. First, you can use a steroidal cream to prevent the scaly build-up of skin cells on the face. Your body naturally produces hormones called corticosteroids to heal inflamed tissue and by using a steroidal cream, you can stimulate this natural response and combat the inflammation of lupus.
Your doctor might also prescribe a type of drug called NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are often basic, over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. But while you’re no doubt familiar with this kind of drug from its role as a basic painkiller, NSAIDs also help fight inflammation, which makes them useful for treating the symptoms of lupus.
Finally, doctors sometimes prescribe immunosuppressive drugs to fight cases of lupus. These drugs work by reducing the activity of the immune system. As a result, it produces fewer antibodies. Fewer antibodies mean that you’ll have fewer of them attacking your cells, which means less inflammation and less build up on the skin. Make sure to ask your doctor about the risks and advantages of these different kinds of drugs.
And tell us what you think. Do you have lupus? What do you do to manage the rash? What works for you? What doesn’t work? Let us know in the comments.
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