Lupus types

There are two types of lupus: Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus. The difference between them is that Discoid Lupus affects only skin, whereas that Systemic Lupus can affect one or more organs or systems of the body, and a consequence of this are the variety of symptoms presented by Systemic Lupus, yet skin lesions are comprised among the symptoms associated to Systemic Lupus.

There can be found a variety of cutaneous lesions associated to Lupus, and they can be classified in two different groups: specific lesions and nonspecific lesions. Those that are classified on the first group as is pointed out by their name, they are specifically associated to disease like Discoid Lupus regardless of the degree.

Discoid Lupus can be clearly identified through the presence of rashes on the face, chest, neck, and scalp. If the patient does not receive immediately a satisfactory treatment, these skin lesions could leave scars. To diagnose the presence of Discoid Lupus a skin biopsy can be very helpful; Discoid Lupus can also present negative antinuclear antibodies unlike Systemic Lupus which presents positive antinuclear antibodies. Sub-acute Discoid Lupus usually shows some “donuts” shaped lesions with a white center surrounded by a circinate border. This lesion may have a wider distribution, arms and legs may be affected by it but in rare cases the face and scalp. The treatment for these lesions does not leave a scar or a sequel.

According to the results thrown by some studies, almost five percent of people affected by Discoid Lupus may turn to be affected by Systemic Lupus, there is no way yet to predict or prevent this complication. The treatment for Discoid Lupus does not guarantee a prevention of disease progress and change into the systemic type of the disease. A theory formulated by physicians is that there are chances that a person, who began suffering with Discoid Lupus and ended up being affected by the systemic form, may have had Systemic Lupus from the beginning.

Systemic lupus is characterized for being the most severe type of lupus and it could involve any part of the organism. Although in some patients it could only affect skin and joints, in other patients on which lupus has advanced a lot, important organs such as lungs, kidneys, and vascular system may be seriously affected by Systemic lupus.

There are no two patients suffering with lupus with identical symptomatology. Systemic Lupus is characterized for having periods on which no symptoms are visible at all, also known as remission periods. On the other hand there are periods where the disease is active and for that there are multiple symptoms present on the patient, these are periods of relapse or outbreaks. When brain is affected by Systemic lupus, diverse neurological disorders may appear and if the disease is not detected and treated immediately, the disorders caused by lupus may become irreversible.

Secondary Lupus is caused by the supply of medicines and looks very similar to Systemic lupus but its symptomatology is less severe.