Lupus Specialist

Wellskin Dermatology & Aesthetics

Dermatologists located in Gallatin, TN & White House, TN

Nearly two-thirds of people with lupus develop serious skin problems. At Wellskin Dermatology & Aesthetics, board-certified providers James Allred, MD, FAAD, and Sherelen Hodges, APRN, DCNP, are skin care specialists who use the most innovative diagnostic and treatment solutions for complex diseases like lupus. There are offices conveniently located in Franklin, Kentucky, White House and Gallatin, Tennessee, so call the one nearest to you or use the online scheduling feature to make an appointment.

Lupus Q & A

What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks and kills healthy tissue. It can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, nervous system, lungs, eyes, kidneys, blood vessels, liver, gastrointestinal system, and bones.

About 70% of lupus cases are systemic lupus, which affects many organs in your body. About 10% of lupus cases are cutaneous lupus, a type that exclusively affects the skin. But, eventually, about 65% of people with systemic lupus also develop skin lupus.

How does lupus affect the skin?

Some common symptoms of lupus in the skin include:

Round raised patches of skin
Red scaly rash on the back, chest, or neck
Ringlike rash
Extreme light sensitivity
Butterfly rash on cheeks
Rash with painful hard growths
Recessed scars
Smooth skin patch with higher borders

Lupus can sometimes look similar to other skin conditions, like rosacea, rashes, allergic skin reactions, or even skin cancer.

If you have lupus, you may also experience other dermatological issues like hair loss, sores in your mucous membranes, or calcinosis (hard bumps of calcium under the skin).

How is skin lupus treated?

At Wellskin Dermatology & Aesthetic Clinic, the team of experts specializes in complex and uncommon skin problems caused by lupus and other autoimmune conditions like scleroderma, lichen planus, bullous pemphigoid, and pemphigus vulgaris.

The team provides meticulous medical monitoring as well as innovative evidence-based treatments to reduce and manage your skin issues. You may need:

Topical, oral, or injected corticosteroids
Topical steroid-sparing medications
Topical hydroxychloroquine
Retinoids
Immunosuppressive medications to calm the immune system
Hair restoration treatments

Managing your ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is also extremely important with lupus. The team can design a treatment plan that protects your skin while minimizing the frequency of your flare-ups.

Depending on your specific lupus symptoms and individual health needs, the dermatology specialists may work in tandem with another type of specialist, usually a rheumatologist, to control your disease in the most effective way.

Lupus can cause uncomfortable rashes, bumps, and other skin issues, but those problems usually respond well to targeted treatment. Call Wellskin Dermatology & Aesthetic Clinic to learn about the newest treatments for skin lupus or click on the online scheduling link to make your appointment.