Skin lupus treatment can be managed by a dermatologist who can provide a specific remedy for lupus skin rashes and lesions. A skin lupus treatment is prescribed by the doctor after examining tissue samples. The process of taking tissue sample is called biopsy; it is necessary to determine if the lesion or a rash is caused by cutaneous lupus.
Lupus skin disease are of three different types such as chronic cutaneous lupus, acute cutaneous lupus and subacute cutaneous lupus. Other skin conditions that occur together with lupus are calcinosis, hair loss, cutaneous vasculitis lesions, Raynaud’s phenomenon, livedo reticularis, petechiae and mucosal ulcerations. Any medication for lupus causing these skin condition is based on the kind of lupus.
Steroids
A topical ointment such as a steroid cream or gel is mostly prescribed by a skin doctor. Liquid steroid is also usually injected directly into the lesions.
Immunomodulator
A new kind of drug called topical immunomodulator is prescribed by a doctor for treating severe skin conditions without producing side effects caused by corticosteriods.
Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus ointment as well as pimecrolimus cream are known to neutralize the action of the immune system against the skin to prevent butterfly rashes, discoid lupus lesions and cutaneous lupus.
Thalidomide
Another reliable lupus skin treatment is thalidomide which is at treatment of any type of lupus that affects the skin especially against cutaneous lupus which does not respond to other medicines.
Natural Skin Lupus Treatment
Skin lupus can be prevented through natural ways such as the use of sunscreen and not exposing oneself too much under the sun or even from artificial ultraviolet light.
Other systemic treatments for mild to moderate lupus related skin disease are antimalarials such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and quinacrine. Retinoids and synthetic forms of vitamin such as isotretinoin and acitretin, sulfones and diaminodiphenylsulfone are also considered systemic treatments.
Systemic treatment for severe lupus-related skin conditions are bilogics, efalizumab, methotrexate, azathioprine, and gold salts either oral or intramascular.