Lupus erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus is a category for a collection of diseases with similar underlying problems with immunity (autoimmune disease). Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs. Four main types of lupus exist — systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus, and neonatal lupus erythematosus. Of these, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and serious form of lupus.

Photosensitivity's relationship to and influence on the systemic manifestations of lupus remain to be defined. Mechanisms for photosensitivity might include: modulation of autoantibody location, cytotoxic effects, apoptosis induction with autoantigens in apoptotic blebs, upregulation of adhesion molecules and cytokines, induction of nitric oxide synthase expression and ultraviolet-generated antigenic DNA. Tumor necrosis factor alpha also seems to play a role in the development of photosensitivity.

Types
Lupus erythematosus may manifest as a systemic disease or in purely cutaneous forms. Types of lupus erythematous can be categorized into the following types:


 * Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
 * Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
 * Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus
 * Discoid lupus erythematosus
 * Childhood discoid lupus erythematosus
 * Generalized discoid lupus erythematosus
 * Localized discoid lupus erythematosus
 * Chilblain lupus erythematosus (Hutchinson)
 * Lupus erythematosus-lichen planus overlap syndrome
 * Lupus erythematosus panniculitis (Lupus erythematosus profundus)
 * Tumid lupus erythematosus
 * Verrucous lupus erythematosus (Hypertrophic lupus erythematosus)
 * Complement deficiency syndromes
 * Drug-induced lupus erythematosus
 * Neonatal lupus erythematosus
 * Systemic lupus erythematosus