If you suffer from an autoimmune disease that affects your skin, you should seek regular treatment from a dermatologist to help manage your symptoms. Autoimmune diseases refer to chronic conditions in which the body’s antibodies and immune cells mistakenly target and attack the body’s healthy tissues. Here is some helpful information about autoimmune diseases and your skin.
Scleroderma is a chronic condition that affects the body’s connective tissue. It is considered an autoimmune rheumatic disease. One of the primary symptoms of the disease is a hardening of the skin. This disease is not infectious, contagious, or cancerous, but the effects can range from mild to deadly. The disease can progress from a mild case to a very serious one without the proper care. Scleroderma can be diagnosed and treated by rheumatologists and dermatologists.
Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primary affects the skin and muscles. Often, the first symptom of the disease is a skin condition. Symptoms include intensely itchy skin lesions, red skin on the face, a scaly scalp, and skin rashes on the hands and thighs. These skin rashes may develop after the skin is exposed to light. The disease can be diagnosed by a physician and treated by a dermatologist.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin on the elbows, knees, and scalp. It can appear anywhere, however. The primary symptoms of psoriasis are red, scaly patches on the skin that itch and burn. Psoriasis is often connected with heart disease, diabetes, and depression. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it can be triggered by various factors, such as weather that is cold or dry, stress, medications, infections, and skin trauma. A dermatologist can diagnose the disease and provide psoriasis treatment.
If you’re looking for a dermatologist in Arlington Heights who can treat your skin condition, come see us at Arlington Dermatology. Our skilled physicians, dermatologists, and medical professionals can diagnose and treat skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, and warts. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 847-392-5440.