Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1517908
Symptoms While the symptoms of autoimmune diseases can vary depending on the organ(s) affected, there are some general symptoms that are common with many of these diseases. Since these symptoms are nonspecific, they may be a sign of other conditions as well. This is one of the reasons it can take years to diagnose an autoimmune disease and effectively treat it. Common symptoms may include: • A general feeling of being unwell • Difficulty concentrating • Digestive issues • Dizziness • Fatigue • Low-grade fever (often a fever that comes and goes) • Muscle and/or joint pain and swelling • Skin rashes • Weight changes Disease-specific symptoms depend on the underlying disorder and may include skin rashes, like a butterfly rash on the face with lupus erythematosus. It's important to note that two people can have the same diagnosis yet have a very different combination of symptoms. Causes and Risk Factors The underlying factors thought to trigger the development of autoimmune diseases and those associated with an elevated risk of flare- ups are infectious diseases, environmental factors, lifestyle, gut bacteria, and genetics. Others include age, sex, weight, ethnicity, geography, smoking, and medications. AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES OF THE SKIN There are a few autoimmune diseases of the skin that you may see over the course of your career. The more common ones include lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma, and vitiligo. Your treatment plan will vary from client to client since symptoms are unique to the individual, but having the knowledge of how these diseases present can help you navigate the best course of care. Lupus The word lupus is Latin for wolf. The name was originally derived from the appearance of the lesions that appeared on the skin—these marks and the pattern they make look like a wolf 's bite mark. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), also called "skin lupus," is where the immune system attacks healthy skin cells and damages the skin. Skin symptoms include redness, itching, pain, and scarring. Approximately two-thirds of people with systemic lupus erythematosus will In many cases, you will be limited to using only the gentlest treatments on the client's skin, but their faith in you will open doors to help them live with their condition more easily. Lupus