The Symptoms of Discoid Lupus in African Americans

(425 Words)
Discoid lupus is a serious autoimmune disorder characterized by a number of different symptoms. Women are far more likely to get the condition, and African American women are most at risk. According to Fitness, African Americans also tend to experience symptoms that are much more severe than those of other races.
Discoid lupus is characterized by lesions over the skin. When the condition first emerges, these will look reddish. They will be circular in shape and have sharp prominence from the surrounding skin. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the inside may be light and the outside rim may be darker than the surrounding skin.
As time progresses the skin lesions can change. African Americans suffering from the disease may find that their skin is crusty or scaly. Sometimes these lesions will emerge over the scalp area. When this occurs, patients may notice that their hair thins. This can be temporary or permanent.
These skin lesions are triggered to a great extent by the sun. Because of this, many of the lesions appear in areas that are exposed to sunlight. These commonly include the face, neck, arms and scalp. Other people will develop these on other areas of the body such as the legs, back or chest. When this occurs it may be indicative of systemic lupus erythematosus, which can have a significant detrimental effect on one’s defense mechanisms.
A common myth is that African Americans are protected from skin cancer because of their dark skin, but this is not the case. When an African American develops discoid lupus, his or her chances of contracting skin cancer go much higher. It is vital for such patients to avoid sun exposure as much as possible. They may want to cover their skin and avoid being out in the heat of the day. Sunscreen should be used. Sun burns are especially bad for them. The exposure may also worsen the condition.
There are many severe symptoms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus that go far beyond the skin. The more spots you have, the more likely you are to develop this. African Americans may develop cardiovascular problems. Tuberculosis or pneumonia can occur. Some may have problems in the gastrointestinal tract or musculoskeletal or nervous system.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of Discoid Lupus so that you can get a prompt diagnosis and understand the steps to deal with your condition. If you experience the above symptoms, you may want to contact your health care provider to learn more about this condition and your risk.