INFO - Rheumatic Skin Diseases: FAQ About Skin Problems with Arthritis-Related Diseases

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Rheumatic Skin Diseases: FAQ About Skin Problems with Arthritis-Related

Diseases

Sontheimer, M.D.

University of Iowa

Specialist in Dermatologic Immunology

Why are there skin problems that occur in rheumatoid patients?

Almost all of the diseases in this category are thought to be diseases in

which one's immune system is not working properly. The immune system is a

normal part of one's body that is designed to protect us from infections

with germs and viruses from the environment. Our immune system also helps us

ward off cancer cell development in our bodies. When one's immune system

gets out of control and starts attacking one's own bodily tissues, this is

called " autoimmunity. " In this situation, blood proteins called

autoantibodies are produced that bind to and injure one's own bodily

tissues. Rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,

dermatomyositis, and scleroderma are thought to be autoimmune diseases. A

glossary of terms relating to immune skin deseases is available on Virtual

Hospital.

In a disease like rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system abnormalities can

attack the lining of the joints. This produces arthritis or inflammation in

the joints. (The term " inflammation " means a combination of pain,

tenderness, swelling, and redness.) The same type of immunological

abnormalities that occur in the joint of a rheumatoid arthritis patient also

can occur in the skin. As a result, we can see skin lesions in patients with

rheumatoid arthritis that can reflect the state of activity of the

immunological abnormalities inside of that patient.

For the whole article, please see:

http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/dermatology/faq/skinandarthritis.html

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org