Autoimmune rashes can look like scaly red patches, purplish bumps, or more. The appearance of autoimmune rashes will be different, depending on which autoimmune condition is triggering the skin rash. What is this? For example, cutaneous lupus may cause a scaly red patch that does not hurt or itch.
Dermatomyositis is a systemic autoimmune disease that often begins with arm and leg weakness as well as several different rashes including: a rash on the hands (Gottron's), around the eyes (heliotrope), and/or across the back and chest (shawl rash; see images at right).
Most autoimmune urticaria goes away. However, the condition can last for months or years, and hives can come and go. In some people, it continues throughout their lives, though there are usually good treatment options to control it.
Common Autoimmune Skin Disorders and Treatments
Treatments may include corticosteroids, immuno-suppressing medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Dermatomyositis: This conditions can cause a distinct skin rash, discoloration and swelling. It can usually be treated with steroids and other medications.
While there are no cures for the different types of autoimmune and blistering skin diseases, many treatments are effective at relieving symptoms and slowing the progression of your condition.
Use nutrients such as fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin D, and probiotics to help calm your immune response naturally. Exercise regularly — it's a natural anti-inflammatory. Practice deep relaxation like yoga, deep breathing, biofeedback, or massage, because stress worsens the immune response.
The exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. One theory is that some microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system. This may happen more often in people who have genes that make them more prone to autoimmune disorders.
We have also learned that autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions: they require a long time (years) before they become clinically evident and diagnosis (so, they have long latent phase), and then last for decades (often a life time) once diagnosed.
Autoimmune Disease, Lupus, Dermatomyositis. Penn dermatologists have experience and expertise in diagnosing and treating autoimmune disorders, including cutaneous lupus, dermatomyositis, morphea/scleroderma and vasculitis.
In some people, it can itch or hurt, and it's often mistaken for sunburn. In cutaneous lupus, the rash can have different patterns: Red, scaly, round patches mainly on skin that's exposed to the sun (called subacute cutaneous lupus)
Scleroderma and its Effects on Skin
Scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis), which causes the skin to thicken to a debilitating degree, has the highest mortality of any autoimmune disease: People with diffuse scleroderma (a subtype) have an average survival rate of only 10 years.
A healthy immune system defends the body against disease and infection. But if the immune system malfunctions, it mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Called autoimmune disease, these attacks can affect any part of the body, weakening bodily function and even turning life-threatening.
Psychological stress is reported to be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including Graves' disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Different types of stress and the length of time that stress is present might also affect the presentation of inflammatory autoimmune disease.
Who is at risk for autoimmune diseases? Millions of Americans of all ages have autoimmune diseases. Women develop many types of autoimmune diseases much more often than men. And if you have one autoimmune disease, you are more likely to get another.
Your autoimmune disease symptoms may change with time. They may go into remission, where you have minimal or no symptoms, or they could flare up, making the disease worse. Although they can't be cured, some of the symptoms can be treated. Many people with autoimmune diseases can live a normal life.
Antioxidant foods: Berries, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, etc.), beans, tomatoes and beets. Omega-3 fatty acids: Olive oil, fish oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts or soybeans.
There's currently no cure for autoimmune diseases. However, natural remedies can have a profoundly positive impact on your condition. Simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help you take hold of your symptoms by reducing the inflammatory response.
Study: Vitamin D and Autoimmune Disease
The study concluded: Vitamin D supplementation for five years, with or without omega-3 fatty acids, helped reduce autoimmune disease by 22%. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, with or without vitamin D, helped reduce autoimmune disease rate by 15%.