What is Lupus Erythematosus & How to Prevent

Selena Gomez grappled with lupus since 2014, enduring persistent pain that limited her public presence and caused anxiety. In 2017, she underwent a crucial kidney transplant to combat the challenges posed by the illness.

In December 2023, HongKong star Kathy Chow, renowned for her role in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber and other notable performances, passed away after a prolonged battle against lupus.

So what is lupus erythematosus, what are its symptoms and dangerous effects? Let's learn more about lupus erythematosus with Chus.

Selena Gomez is facing lupus erythematosus

1. What is lupus erythematosus?

Lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs in the body. Lupus erythematosus can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels. The disease includes many different forms, but there are two common types: discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Both discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus cause skin rashes. The rash of discoid lupus erythematosus tends to be more severe and causes complications such as scarring, hyperpigmentation, and aesthetic effects on the patient. However, systemic lupus erythematosus will have a more dangerous impact because the disease affects internal organs inside the body. And this is also the most common type of lupus erythematosus.

2. Causes of lupus erythematosus:

Lupus erythematosus is a complex autoimmune disease and its exact cause is not fully understood. It is likely that a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors contribute to the development of lupus.

Genetic factors:

There is a clear genetic predisposition to lupus, as the disease tends to run in families. People with a family history of lupus or other autoimmune diseases may be at higher risk of developing lupus.

Immune disorders:

Lupus is characterized by an abnormal immune response in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues and organs. This dysfunction can be triggered by many different factors, including genetic susceptibility.

Hormonal effects:

Hormonal factors, especially in women, are thought to play a role in the development of lupus. The disease is more common in women, especially during childbearing age, suggesting a hormonal influence. In particular, estrogen may contribute to the pathogenesis of lupus.

Environmental Triggers:

Certain environmental factors can trigger or worsen lupus in people who are genetically predisposed. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, infections, medications, and exposure to certain chemicals have been identified as potential triggers.

3. Is lupus erythematosus contagious?

As mentioned above, lupus is an autoimmune disease, not an infectious disease, that is, the patient's own immune system produces antibodies against the body's own organs. Therefore, people with lupus erythematosus cannot transmit this disease to others through close or distant contact, including sexual intercourse.

4. Manifestations of lupus erythematosus:

Lupus erythematosus is often difficult to detect early because its signs are often complex and appear in many different organs, easily confusing with other diseases.

Signs of discoid lupus erythematosus:

Discoid lupus erythematosus clinically manifests mainly by unusual symptoms on the skin:

• Skin lesions: A butterfly-shaped rash on the face is a very characteristic sign of lupus. Sun-exposed areas, such as the face, ears, scalp, and neck, appear as raised erythematous patches with a scaly or scaly texture. Notably, these plaques are circular or disc-shaped, forming the main diagnostic feature of the disease.
• Scars and changes in skin pigmentation: Affected skin areas will thin over time, leading to the formation of atrophic scars. Changes in skin pigmentation, darker or lighter, can be permanent.
• Hair loss: Discoid lupus erythematosus can cause hair loss. If the scalp is damaged and scarred, there is a possibility that hair will not grow back in those areas.
• Photosensitivity: exposure to sunlight can cause or worsen inflammation in skin lesions.
• Nails: break, bend or deform easily due to being more brittle.

Although discoid lupus erythematosus mainly affects the skin, it should not be ignored because it has the potential to progress to systemic lupus erythematosus.

The butterfly rash of lupus erythematosus (Source: shutterstock)

Signs of systemic lupus erythematosus:

Unlike leech-form lupus erythematosus, which only affects the skin, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect many organs and systems in the body. It's important to note that not everyone with systemic lupus erythematosus experiences the same symptoms, and the severity of symptoms can fluctuate. Here are some common signs of systemic lupus erythematosus:

• Joint pain and swelling: People with lupus erythematosus are at high risk of facing arthritis that leads to pain, swelling and stiffness. It often affects the small joints of the hands and wrists.
• Skin rash: Like discoid lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus erythematosus also has a characteristic butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the face, spreading across the cheeks and bridge of the nose. This rash is sensitive to light and can be aggravated by sun exposure.
• Fever and fatigue: Fever, fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite occur in 90% of patients.
• Mouth ulcers: Mouth or nose ulcers may occur and they are usually painless. These ulcers are different from those associated with infections or other conditions.
• Raynaud's phenomenon: This phenomenon causes fingers and toes to turn white or blue when exposed to cold or stress. This occurs due to blood vessel spasm.
• Chest pain: Inflammation of the lining of the heart or lungs can cause chest pain. This symptom requires prompt medical attention.
• Nephritis: When the immune system attacks the kidneys it can lead to high blood pressure, swelling (edema), and changes in urine.
• Neurological symptoms: Some people with systemic lupus erythematosus may experience neurological symptoms, such as headaches, seizures or cognitive dysfunction.
• Blood disorders: Patients often experience symptoms such as anemia causing blue skin, pale lips, leukopenia or thrombocytopenia.

Systemic lupus erythematosus affects internal organs (Source: Adam)

5. Can lupus erythematosus be cured?

There is no way to cure lupus erythematosus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, and treatment primarily focuses on controlling symptoms, preventing flare-ups, and minimizing organ damage. Treatments are often individualized by a specialist, such as a dermatologist or other specialist depending on which body system is affected.

6. How to prevent lupus erythematosus:

Preventing lupus erythematosus is challenging because the exact cause of this autoimmune disease is not fully understood and is linked to significant genetic factors. However, certain lifestyle choices and habits may contribute to minimizing the risk of lupus or potentially reducing the severity of symptoms. It is important to note that these recommendations do not guarantee preventative measures but are general guidelines that can support overall health:

Lifestyle:

• Protect your skin from the effects of UV rays by using protective clothing such as protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunscreen when leaving the house.
• Limit going out during peak hours from 10 am to 4 pm to avoid harsh effects from UV rays.
• Stop using medications that make you more sensitive to sunlight such as diuretics and antibiotics.
• Stop smoking.
• Stress management.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced and nutritious diet, engage in regular physical activity and ensure adequate sleep.

Nutrition:

• Maintain a diverse and balanced diet, limit consumption of processed foods, fried and stir-fried foods. Prioritize choosing foods that are beneficial for overall health.
• For people with lupus erythematosus, vitamin D should be increased through natural food sources such as salmon, sardines, beef liver, egg yolks, shrimp, mushrooms, oats, and yogurt to support overall health.

Healthy diet (Source: Shutterstock)

Periodic health examination:

Regular medical checkups can help monitor overall health and detect any potential problems early. Although lupus is not completely preventable, regular health assessments can contribute to early detection and management of any developing health conditions.

There is no clear way to prevent lupus erythematosus. Because some factors that influence the development of lupus, such as genetics, are beyond an individual's control. If you have concerns about lupus or related symptoms, you should consult a healthcare professional for individualized advice, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Conclusion:

The cause of lupus erythematosus is still unknown, so there are no specific prevention measures. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of disease. Importantly, lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Therefore, there is no need to worry when coming into contact with people who are facing lupus erythematosus.