Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
Update Date: 2008/08/31 04:09
Reporter Wei Yijia / Taipei Report
A young woman developed "red rashes" resembling circles with diameters of 2 to 3 centimeters on her face and neck, initially thought to be eczema. However, after applying medication for a period without improvement, a biopsy revealed it to be the rare "discoid lupus erythematosus."
Dermatologists stated that the cause of "discoid lupus erythematosus" is unknown, but 5-10% of cases may develop into systemic lupus erythematosus over time. If similar symptoms are noticed, they should not be ignored, and early medical consultation is essential for differential diagnosis and regular blood tests for follow-up treatment.
Zhao Zhaoming, director of dermatology at Tri-Service General Hospital, mentioned that apart from this female patient, another patient was recently found with "red rashes" resembling circles with diameters of 2 to 3 centimeters on their arm. Many patients, upon seeing red skin, assume it to be eczema or a fungal infection. Only after applying medication for a while without improvement do they seek hospital treatment.
Zhao Zhaoming pointed out that although "discoid lupus erythematosus" includes the word "discoid," the affected areas do not appear perfectly round but somewhat irregular, and the number is usually limited to one or two. Patients may feel some itchiness, and the affected areas may flake like pityriasis. Exposure to light can cause particular itchiness, but it does not spread more with scratching; unlike eczema, which spreads more with scratching and does not particularly itch upon light exposure.
Additionally, "discoid lupus erythematosus" can easily be mistaken for a fungal infection. However, the affected areas are not as red as those with fungal infections, and they do not spread more with scratching. People can make a preliminary distinction themselves, and if they suspect it might be "discoid lupus erythematosus," it is best to seek medical attention promptly.
Zhao Zhaoming further indicated that the cause of "discoid lupus erythematosus" is unknown and mostly localized. However, in the long term, 5-10% of patients may develop systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease, with a higher incidence rate in women than in men.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 080831/ 78/ 153in. html
Rare Circular Lupus Erythema, Not Eczema
Reporter Wei Yijia / Taipei Report
A young woman developed "red rashes" resembling circles with diameters of 2 to 3 centimeters on her face and neck, initially thought to be eczema. However, after applying medication for a period without improvement, a biopsy revealed it to be the rare "discoid lupus erythematosus."
Dermatologists stated that the cause of "discoid lupus erythematosus" is unknown, but 5-10% of cases may develop into systemic lupus erythematosus over time. If similar symptoms are noticed, they should not be ignored, and early medical consultation is essential for differential diagnosis and regular blood tests for follow-up treatment.
Zhao Zhaoming, director of dermatology at Tri-Service General Hospital, mentioned that apart from this female patient, another patient was recently found with "red rashes" resembling circles with diameters of 2 to 3 centimeters on their arm. Many patients, upon seeing red skin, assume it to be eczema or a fungal infection. Only after applying medication for a while without improvement do they seek hospital treatment.
Zhao Zhaoming pointed out that although "discoid lupus erythematosus" includes the word "discoid," the affected areas do not appear perfectly round but somewhat irregular, and the number is usually limited to one or two. Patients may feel some itchiness, and the affected areas may flake like pityriasis. Exposure to light can cause particular itchiness, but it does not spread more with scratching; unlike eczema, which spreads more with scratching and does not particularly itch upon light exposure.
Additionally, "discoid lupus erythematosus" can easily be mistaken for a fungal infection. However, the affected areas are not as red as those with fungal infections, and they do not spread more with scratching. People can make a preliminary distinction themselves, and if they suspect it might be "discoid lupus erythematosus," it is best to seek medical attention promptly.
Zhao Zhaoming further indicated that the cause of "discoid lupus erythematosus" is unknown and mostly localized. However, in the long term, 5-10% of patients may develop systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease, with a higher incidence rate in women than in men.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 080831/ 78/ 153in. html