Conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin, causing inflammation or damage.
What is it?
Autoimmune skin diseases develop when the body’s immune system begins to misidentify and attack healthy skin cells. This results in inflammation, rashes, scaling, lesions, or blistering, depending on the condition. Common autoimmune disorders affecting the skin include cutaneous lupus, psoriasis, vitiligo, scleroderma, and sarcoidosis.
These diseases vary in severity and may involve other organ systems. Symptoms can be persistent or flare in cycles, often triggered by sun exposure, stress, illness, or environmental changes. Diagnosis usually involves clinical evaluation, blood tests, or skin biopsies.
How is it treated?
Management focuses on suppressing immune activity and controlling flare-ups. Treatments may include topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, oral immunosuppressants, phototherapy, or biologic drugs that specifically target immune pathways. For more severe or treatment-resistant cases, a combination of therapies may be needed.
Charlotte Dermatology develops personalized care plans based on each patient’s specific diagnosis, skin sensitivity, and treatment response. Ongoing monitoring and collaboration with primary care or rheumatology providers ensure comprehensive care. Patient education and lifestyle guidance also help patients manage symptoms and improve quality of life.