Causes, symptoms and treatment of lupus on the face

Definition of the disease

Lupus on the face is often mistakenly classified as one of the forms of tuberculosis of the skin. As a rule, the disease develops in childhood and can occur in latent form for long period of time. Most often seen on the face: zygomatic arches and the nose, can lead to severe deformities of cartilage and bone tissue with residual scarring.

The causes of lupus on face

The cause of the disease is considered a violation of autoimmune processes in the body, causing the immune system destroys healthy tissue. Incorrect is the view that lupus on the face is a contagious disease. She goes from person to person, and develops under the influence of external precipitating factors such as viral infections, ultraviolet radiation, hypothermia. The cause of lupus on the face can serve as a genetic predisposition or certain drugs.

The occurrence of symptoms of lupus on the face

Lupus on the face is considered the classic form of the disease, but the disks lupus erythematosus initially appear on the skin of the neck, ears; can be detected in the form of restricted lesions on the hairy part of the scalp.

On the face you can see the typical education of a butterfly, composed of many fused erythema pink or reddish in color.

With the development of the disease on the affected area and begins the process of deep infiltration, leading to paralysis of the blood vessels of the skin. Develops follicular hyperkeratosis, gradually turning into hyperkeratosis of the stratum corneum of the skin. All this leads to irreversible atrophy of the epidermis of the skin and disruption of the trophic tissue.

In the result of violations occur in the process of pigmentirovanie, skin blood vessels is greatly enhanced – telangiectasia, and can lead to irreversible atrophic changes in the form of depigmented scars. Lupus on the face can manifest itself in erosive-ulcerative form with a limited localization on the red border of the lips or in the mouth.

A typical manifestation in this case is the occurrence of fissures, ulcerations, which then become covered with crusts. Often patients complain of discomfort, soreness, burning sensation when talking or eating.

If the process proceeds as diskoidna lupus erythematosus, most often formed two or three of the pathological focus. The process involved esomeone folds of the auricle, the red border of the lips and sometimes hairypart of the head. The progression of the disease may spread to exposed skin on the chest, back, arms.

The disease begins with the appearance of pinkish or reddish spots of small size, which slowly increase in size and gradually merge into different shapes. Typically, this process is localized on the skin of the cheeks and nose and its shape resembles the shape of a butterfly.

With the development of the disease erythema of education are covered by whitish scales, which cause painful sensations when you try to remove them. As a rule, the disease is accompanied by scarring, resulting in cosmetic defects.

Diagnosis of lupus on the face

As a rule, the obstruction cause atypical localization of the disease. In the early period the diagnosis is based on characteristic figure of the "lupus butterfly" even when there is no morphological confirmation. Should carry out the differentiation of the diagnosis of vascular diseases of the skin, symptoms reminiscent of lupus.

In very rare cases, lupus can manifest itself only in the form of single localized lesions on the scalp, which also should be considered in the diagnosis. The following methods are considered histological and microscopic, to determine the presence of lupus cells on the affected skin.

Treatment of lupus on the face

Treatment should be strictly under the control of a specialist. It is necessary to observe preventive measures aimed at the elimination or reduction of exposure to trigger factors. During remission it is important for as long as possible to avoid exacerbation of the process. A dermatologist can recommend special protective creams and ointments that protect the skin from external stimuli.

In the period of exacerbation of the disease locally, and only as directed by your healthcare doctor, apply corticosteroid ointment. Complex therapy includes antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs. According to indications symptomatic treatment. The use of physical therapy can reduce the dose of medicines and reduce side effects.