Autoimmune Diseases and Your Skin
Our skin is part of the body’s innate immune system. It acts as a barrier between us and the vast majority of microorganisms that we encounter. This is why healthy skin is so important. Autoimmune diseases, however, can wreak havoc on our skin, breaking down this barrier and resulting in frustrating, painful rashes. When you notice odd skin-related symptoms, always check with your dermatologist. Sometimes an autoimmune disease is the culprit. The four common autoimmune diseases discussed in this post are known for leaving their mark on your skin.
What is an Autoimmune Disease?
The immune system’s job is to protect you against germs and toxins. It is made up of cells and molecules who identify and destroy foreign cells and microorganisms. When an autoimmune disease occurs, the immune system starts attacking and destroying the body’s healthy cells instead. This usually results in tissue damage or impaired physiological function.
Autoimmune diseases affect everyone differently and tend to grow worse over time. The sooner they are identified, the sooner they can be treated. Living with one can be difficult but manageable with the right treatment and care. When an autoimmune disease affects the skin, your dermatologist may be the first person to notice. Routine appointments ensure that diseases like these are caught and treated before they cause permanent damage.
Scleroderma
This autoimmune disease affects the entire body’s connective tissue. Symptoms include:
- Changes in the skin
- Blood vessel problems
- Muscle and organ failure and weakness
When localized, scleroderma causes skin cells to die off faster than the body can shed them. This results in patches of thickened skin. The most common form of this disease, Systemic Scleroderma, divides into two unique types:
- Progressive Systemic Scleroderma (Patients with this form experience symptoms affecting their esophagus, lungs, intestines, heart, and kidneys.)
- Crest Syndrome (Appears on the skin in various symptoms, such as thickening, calcium build-up under the skin, or blue/redness of the fingers and toes.)
Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, joint pain, and weight loss. Approximately 300,000 people in the US live with this disease.
Psoriasis
A pretty common autoimmune disease, psoriasis appears as cracked, irritated skin. There are five forms of this disease:
- Guttate
- Plaque
- Inverse
- Erythrodermic
- Pustular
Plaque psoriasis is the most common of these types and it presents as reddened, thickened patches of skin covered in silvery scales of dead skin. It is understood that this is an inherited disorder. Usually one or more family members suffer from it. Psoriasis tends to come and go over a person’s lifetime, often triggered by things like stress, alcohol, and infections. Approximately 7.5 million Americans live with this disease.
Lupus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus) usually presents as a red rash across the nose and cheeks in the shape of a butterfly. Though the most distinctive sign, the butterfly rash does not always occur and many of lupus’ symptoms can mimic other diseases and ailments. This can make it difficult to diagnose. Rashes may also show up on the ears, arms, chest, shoulders, and hands. Sun exposure tends to make the rashes worse.
Dermatomyositis
Mainly affecting the muscles, this autoimmune disease also appears on the skin. Though it shares muscle symptoms with another similar disease, dermatomyositis can be easily identified by the rashes it produces. Typical signs include:
- Rashes on the upper body
- Thickened skin
- Tightened skin around the eyes
- Purplish eyelids
More prevalent among women, this condition tends to affect those in their forties and sixties.
If you notice any odd rashes or symptoms such as persistent aches and pains or lingering fevers, call your doctor. The sooner autoimmune diseases are diagnosed, the sooner they can be treated. Your skin tells us a lot about what’s happening underneath and it is up to you, and our team at New River Dermatology, to listen and act.