Lupus erythematosus Health Dictionary

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Lupus Erythematosus: From 3 Different Sources

Auto-immune disease – antibody to DNA. Non-tubercula. Two kinds: (1) discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and (2) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DLE occurs mostly in middle-aged women, but SLE in young women. Activity may be followed by period of remission. The condition may evolve into rheumatic disease.

Symptoms (SLE): Loss of appetite, fever. Weight loss, weakness. Thickened scaly red patches on face (butterfly rash). May invade scalp and cause loss of hair. Sunlight worsens. Anaemia. Joint pains. Enlarged spleen. Heart disorders. Kidney weakness, with protein in the urine. Symptoms worse on exposure to sunlight. Low white blood cell count. Many patients may also present with Raynaud’s phenomenon while some women with silicone breast implants may develop lupus.

Treatment. Anti-virals. Alteratives. Anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants. Alternatives. Teas: Lime flowers, Gotu Kola, Ginkgo, Aloe Vera, Boneset.

Decoctions: Burdock. Queen’s Delight. Helonias.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea. Blue Flag root. Wild Yam. Ginkgo.

Formula. Dandelion 1; Black Haw 1; Wild Yam half; Poke root half. Dose: Liquid Extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Topical. Sunlight barrier creams: Aloe Vera, Comfrey. Horsetail poultice. Garlic ointment. Castor oil packs.

Diet. See: DIET – SKIN DISORDERS.

Supplements. Calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Selenium.

Note: The disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or ME. Lupus antibodies have been linked with premature heart disease in women and transient strokes. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia
An autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of connective tissue. The most common type, discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), only affects exposed areas of the skin. The more serious form, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affects many body systems, including the skin.

In both varieties of lupus erythematosus, the symptoms periodically subside and recur with varying severity. In DLE, the rash starts as one or more red, circular, thickened areas of skin that later scar. These patches may occur on the face, behind the ears, and on the scalp. Treatment is usually with topical corticosteroid drugs. SLE causes a variety of symptoms. A characteristic red, blotchy, butterfly-shaped rash may appear over the cheeks and the bridge of the nose; other symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, joint pain, and weight loss. There may also be anaemia, neurological or psychiatric problems, kidney failure, pleurisy, arthritis, and pericarditis. Diagnosis is made by blood tests and sometimes a skin biopsy.

Sufferers of mild forms of SLE may have near normal health for many years; treatment with corticosteroid drugs and immunosuppressant drugs can improve life expectancy. Other treatments are available to treat specific features of the disease. However, SLE is still a potentially fatal disorder.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
(LE) a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of connective tissue, affecting the skin and various internal organs (systemic LE, SLE). Typically, there is a red butterfly-shaped rash on the face, over the cheek and bridge of the nose (butterfly rash); arthritis; and progressive damage to the kidneys. Often the heart, lungs, and brain are also affected by progressive attacks of inflammation followed by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis). In a milder form, known as discoid LE (DLE), only the skin is affected. LE is an *autoimmune disease and can be diagnosed by the presence of abnormal antibodies in the bloodstream. The disease is treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Lupus Vulgaris

Tubercula skin disease, with small apple-jelly yellow nodules progressing to ulceration. Distribution: face, neck and mucous surfaces of mouth and nose. Non-itching. Skin thickens and discolours. Nose may be eroded and deformed.

Treatment. Because of plastic surgery deformities are now seldom seen, yet herbalism may still have a case in the absence of conventional drugs.

Teas. Elecampane. Gotu Kola.

Red Clover compound.

Arthur Barker. Liquid Extract Echinacea 1oz; Liquid Extract Queen’s Delight half an ounce; Tincture Goldenseal 30 drops. Syr Senna 2oz. Distilled, or pure spring water to 8oz. Dose: 1 dessertspoon after meals.

Topical. Marshmallow and Slippery Elm poultices or ointment. Oil of Mullein. Aloe Vera. Castor oil packs. ... lupus vulgaris

Lupus

This is the Latin word for wolf, and a term applied to certain chronic skin diseases which can destroy skin, underlying cartilage and even bone to cause serious deformity if uncontrolled.

Lupus vulgaris is a form of TUBERCULOSIS of the skin. It typically begins in childhood and may spread slowly for decades if untreated. The face and neck are the usual sites. In untreated disease, large, well-demarcated areas may be affected with redness, scaling and thickening. If the affected skin is blanched by pressure, yellow-brown foci may be observed – the so-called apple-jelly nodules. The disease causes extensive scarring as it spreads and may destroy cartilage in its path – for example, on the nose or ear – causing gross deformity. The disease was common in the UK up to 50 years ago, but is now rare. It is treated with a combination of tuberculostatic drugs.

Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which can affect skin or internal organs.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) In this disease, only the skin is affected. Sharply de?ned red, scaly and eventually atrophic patches appear on the face, especially on the nose and cheeks. ALOPECIA with scarring is seen if the scalp is affected. The condition is aggravated by sunlight. Topical CORTICOSTEROIDS are helpful.... lupus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (sle)

See separate dictionary entry.... systemic lupus erythematosus (sle)

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (dle)

See under LUPUS.... discoid lupus erythematosus (dle)

Arthritis, Lupus

A form of arthritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosis in young girls. An auto-immune disease which may involve the heart, kidney, CNS or other systems.

Symptoms: Joint pains with feverishness, loss of weight, anaemia and red raised patches of skin on nose and face (butterfly rash). Swelling of the joints resembles rheumatoid arthritis. Chest and kidney disease possible. Personality changes with depression followed by mania and possible convulsions.

Treatment. Standard orthodox treatments: aspirin, steroids. Alternatives: Echinacea (rash), Valerian (mental confusion), Lobelia (chest pains), Parsley Piert (kidney function).

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea. Poke root. Dandelion. Valerian. Wild Yam. Prickly Ash bark.

Powders. Echinacea 2; Dandelion 1; Wild Yam half; Poke root quarter; Devil’s Claw half; Fennel half. Mix. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily. In water or cup of Fenugreek tea. Tinctures. Dandelion 4; Valerian 1; Prickly Ash half; Poke root half; Peppermint quarter. Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoon thrice daily, in water or cup Fenugreek tea.

Tincture. Queen’s Delight BHP (1983) 1:5 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose 1-4ml (15-60 drops).

Topical. Plantain Salvo. Castor oil. Oil Cajeput or Sassafras. Comfrey or Chickweed cream.

Diet. Young girls may require diet for anaemia.

Supplementation. Daily. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D. Dolomite (1500mg). Calcium Pantothenate (500mg). Iron: Men (10mg), women (18mg). ... arthritis, lupus

Lupus Pernio

Sarcoidosis affecting the skin, in which purple, chilblain-like swellings appear on the nose, cheeks, or ears.... lupus pernio

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

See lupus erythematosus.... systemic lupus erythematosus

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

(DLE) see lupus erythematosus.... discoid lupus erythematosus

Lupus Anticoagulant

one of several autoantibodies that can cause *antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). Despite the name, the antibody behaves as a coagulant, increasing the risk of thrombosis. It can be found in 50% of patients with APS.... lupus anticoagulant

Lupus Verrucosus

a rare tuberculous infection of the skin – commonly the arm or hand – typified by warty lesions. It occurs in those who have been reinfected with tuberculosis.... lupus verrucosus

Lupus Nephritis

a frequent and serious complication of systemic *lupus erythematosus (SLE). The 2002 WHO/ISN/RPS classification of lupus nephritis recognizes six classes: class I is the presence of mesangial deposits (see juxtaglomerular apparatus) seen on immunofluorescence and/or electron microscopy; class II is the presence of mesangial deposits and mesangial hypercellularity; class III is focal and segmental *glomerulonephritis; class IV is diffuse segmental or global nephritis; class V is *membranous nephropathy; and class VI is advanced sclerotic glomerulonephritis. Untreated, outcomes are poor in classes III and IV, but much improved with immunosuppressant treatment.... lupus nephritis

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