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Lupus, medical term lupus erythematosus, is a condition that involves a reaction of our body's natural immune system, wherein the bloodstream, kidneys, joints, skin and other parts of the body get inflamed. This condition normally tends to affect women and could often last for several years. It is known to be a very complex disease, the symptoms of which can vary from one person to the next, and at times may never be cured. Some of the more common symptoms of this condition are muscle pain, joint aches and fever. However, based upon the symptoms, this condition is categorized as being systematic or discoid. The systematic kind tends to cause body aches and exhaustion while the discoid type takes the form of skin lesions. In order to distinguish between the two kinds, a blood test is generally recommended.
A lupus rash generally appears on the nose and cheeks, but it may also materialize on the scalp, back, chest and the feet. The rash tends to be very itchy and can cause a great deal of irritation. Exposure to sunlight or even contact with chemicals that are present in detergents can aggravate the rash considerably. Although the lupus rash is not contagious, it does have the tendency to recur. Very often the rash if formed on the scalp, can lead to hair loss, while in a more serious case it can lead to a lung disorder, anemia and breathing trouble.
There are few home remedies for a lupus rash that can help reduce the irritation and the itch considerably. Oatmeal is known to yield positive results as far as lupus rashes are concerned. Add ½ a cup of oatmeal to a tub of warm water. You will need to sit in this solution for a minimum of twenty minutes. Aloe vera juice could also be applied on the affected area to gain relief from the pain and to reduce the rashes. Cod liver oil, vitamin E oil and olive oil are excellent for lupus rashes. Apply a few drops of any of these oils on the affected area daily. Baking powder if dabbed to the rash also helps relieve local irritation that is caused by the rash. Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses) and include a lot of green vegetables and fresh fruits into your daily diet. Always bear in mind, no matter how itchy the rash may be, one must take special care not to scratch them.
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