Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy organs and tissue. The skin is the body’s largest organ, so symptoms often show up there first.

Some autoimmune skin diseases are related to disorders that affect other areas of the body. For example, lupus affects the joints and kidneys but it also affects the skin. In fact, changes in the skin may be a patient’s first visible symptom of an autoimmune disease, so it’s important to share all your symptoms with your dermatologist.

Symptoms if autoimmune disease include:

• rashes
• blisters
• scaly patches
• skin thickening
• lesions
• fatigue

Your medical history and skin exam will help us diagnose the problem and suggest treatment options. Blood tests and a skin biopsy may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.