Skin Diseases | Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus) is a disease of the immune system, which affects more than 17,000 Australians. Symptoms can be vague and vary from person to person, and consequently diagnosis can be difficult. However, once diagnosed, a combination of prescribed treatment and lifestyle adjustments enables most people with lupus to enjoy a normal life. Lupus can affect the joints and almost every major organ in the body, including the heart, kidneys, skin, lungs and brain. The cause of Lupus is unknown but a person’s risk of developing lupus appears to be determined by genetics (hereditary). However, the onset of the disease may be triggered by environmental factors such as infection, sunlight, or stress. In autoimmune disorders such as lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. The major hallmark of this autoimmune attack is inflammation. The course of lupus varies and is characterised by alternating periods of flares (increased disease activity) and remissions. Some people with lupus experience only mild lupus symptoms and have few complications. Others experience frequent flares that lead to moderate or even severe complications. Lupus is most common in women (90% of cases) and the majority develop the condition between 15 and 45 years of age. When lupus occurs in children it is usually diagnosed during puberty. Unfortunately, the warning signs of lupus can mimic the warning signs of other diseases. Common symptoms of lupus include persistent low-grade fever, extreme fatigue, and painful or swollen joints. The so-called “lupus rash”, which often manifests as a butterfly-shaped reddish or purplish rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks, is another common medical sign. There are blood tests that a doctor can use to help diagnose lupus, but none of these tests are definitive and diagnosis can take years to determine as the symptoms can vary so greatly. There are different treatment options for Lupus. The aims of treatment for lupus are to reduce inflammation in tissues and to improve quality of life. Treatment must take into account of the severity and symptoms of the disease in the individual.
Skin Diseases | Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines. Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australia for both men and women. Melanoma is a young person’s disease – being the most common form of cancer in Australia for people aged between 15 – 44 years. Melanoma is more common in people with fair complexions as they have less skin pigment to protect them against UV radiation from the sun than people with darker skin. People with dark or olive skin have more protection against skin cancer because they produce more melanin than fair skinned people, however, because UV radiation is so strong in Australia dark and olive skinned people still need to protect their skin appropriately. Risk factors also include family history, exposure to the sun, repeated sunburn and certain types of moles. Early melanoma is often curable, whilst later stages are typically fatal. Regular skin checks are essential in the Far North.
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