Skin Problems in Lupus

Dr. Donald Thomas Answers Lupus Patients’ Questions on His Living With Lupus Blog: The Lupus Encyclopedia Watch this YouTube video — patients’ important questions are answered about living with lupus Dr. Donald Thomas’ Lupus Encyclopedia is a practical “living with …

Should We be Recommending the COVID-19 Vaccine for Lupus Patients?: Yes! What I tell my systemic lupus patients as of 12/18/20: 4:00 PM regarding getting a COVID-19 vaccine for lupus patients The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the …

A drug made from up to 100,000 healthy volunteers! Intravenous (IV) means getting a medicine delivered into your vein Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) ​Immune globulins (also called immunoglobulins) are antibodies. A large number of antibodies given in IVIG may help …

IF YOU HAVE LUPUS OR ARE A CAREGIVER: Help current research on lupus by sharing your experiences with the Lupus Foundation of America by joining RAY (Research Accelerated by You) ​You can help with an easy online lupus research study!…

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What is the anti-SSA test? What the lab technician sees under the microscope when testing a patient for anti-SSA antibodies. These are human epithelial cells to which blood was added from a patient who has anti-SSA antibodies, proving that that …

Multiple studies show that stress and trauma increase the risk of developing lupus as well as causing lupus flares. QUESTION: "New research is showing that childhood trauma may contribute to the development of lupus? I read a study where those …

Other Facts about DHEA and lupus – DHEA and lupus: DHEA stands for DeHydroEpiAndrosterone – It is produced by the adrenal glands – It is made from cholesterol (yes, cholesterol is a necessary …

Benlysta for children with lupus kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis): FDA-approved on July 26, 2022 This is a monumental breakthrough since children with systemic lupus tend to be sicker than adults. FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approval of drugs for …

1st drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis ​Historic mile-stone! ​ December 16, 2020: The FDA approved on Wednesday DEC 16, 2020…  Benlysta for lupus nephritis as the first drug ever FDA-approved to treat lupus nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys).…

The aiSLE DX Flare Risk Index test The Lupus Foundation of America, in its continuous quest to advocate for better care of lupus patients, just announced a new laboratory test that can help people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)…

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What is Evusheld? It is a treatment to prevent COVID-19 infections. It is not a vaccine. It is made up of two different monoclonal antibodies.Evusheld reduces COVID-19 infections by 83%.Evusheld begins to wane after about 6 months. Therefore, …

Lupus Nephritis Urine Samples: What They Tell Us A lupus nephritis urine sample is important for all SLE patients to give regularly. So, click on the video below to learn why giving a urine sample every 3 months is important …

What do the following have in common? LupusA drawing by a 3-year-oldJulian LennonFlowers and gardening suppliesAlice in WonderlandPink Floyd They all are woven into the story of the Beatles’ famous song: Lucy in the Sky …

New research suggests itchy skin is a sign of active lupus. Most lupus experts also know this. However, many other doctors do not. That is why this research is so helpful. We do not want itchy lupus rashes to be …

Why do lupus patients need to give a clean catch urine sample every 3 months? Doing a clean catch urine sample wrong can cause false results Around 40% of systemic lupus erythematosus patients develop kidney inflammation (nephritis) and need to …

February 2023 Update: A new study from Harvard doctors from Hahn J et al shows that women who abided by 5 lifestyle changes (maintain normal weight, exercise regularly, not smoking, drink alcohol in small to moderate amounts, and who eat …

  Medical Marijuana (Cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, CBD for Lupus)? Should patients use CBD for lupus? With the increasing popularity and availability of cannabis and CBD, many lupus patients ask, “How about CBD for lupus?” This online chapter of “The …

Updated Part MARCH 2023: Ghalandari et al from the Netherlands reported their results of using Benlysta during pregnancy in the March edition of the journal Lupus. Benlysta During Pregnancy: Safe and Effective [UPDATE MARCH 2023] Can lupus patients get pregnant and …

Lupus and COVID vaccine: Dr. Thomas recommends not waiting to his patients, read below… Research regarding the COVID vaccine and lupus patients continues to be done. Should you wait to get yours? Dr. Thomas answer this question below: “I’ll tell …

It is amazing how the COVID-19 vaccine works (the mRNA vaccines, especially) It intrigues me how the COVID-19 vaccine works! How effective it is, and how safe it is. I got mine, #1, as of 12/29/20, and I got my …

If we prevent bacteria in urine (bacteriuria), could we decrease lupus flares? Bacteria in urine was found in a study to possibly increase flares in lupus patients. If this is true, then decreasing bacteria in the urine could possibly help …

  ​A gift for Christmas 2020, since I’m a 90-Day Fiancé fan. Angela wishes me a Merry Christmas and mentions my book. She looks great since her weight loss surgery and she must still be with Michael of Nigeria since …

Please continue to protect yourself as you did before if you have lupus or another systemic autoimmune disease and are vaccinated against COVID-19 QUESTION OF THE DAY: Dr. T. I have lupus. I got both of my Moderna COVID vaccines. …

How the COVID Vaccine and Lupus Interact is Important to Figure Out: Consider Joining this NIH Research Study The NIH is studying how the COVID vaccine and lupus interact. Please consider participating in this important research. You can also click …

The Latest Research Answers the Question: “Can discoid lupus turn into systemic lupus erythematosus?” Discoid lupus: note the round “disc” shape, the outer active inflamed border is pink, the central area has scar tissue “Can discoid lupus turn into systemic …

The causes of fatigue and dealing with autoimmune disease fatigue. ​ Tips on how to improve energy with Sjogren’s, lupus, and related disorders Fatigue is common in lupus This video discusses the causes of autoimmune disease fatigue and gives practical …

Not All Supplements and Vitamins for Lupus Patients are Safe Vitamins for lupus patients: “Ask Dr. T!” question of the week For example: do not take Echinacea It ​It is important to remember that lupus is a problem …

CDC Study answers this question Please get your COVID-19 vaccine! We all would like life to go back to normal. The unvaccinated will be our major obstacle in reaching that goal. (and yes, that is my, and many others, unapologetic …

December 2022 update: Hydroxychloroquine is a disease-modifying agent for lupus (along with Benlysta). Antimalarial drugs can treat autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, Sjogren’s, and rheumatoid arthritis… ​ Here’s how! (described in easy to understand language) Malaria organism attaching …

Research Shows More COVID-19 Deaths in Rheumatic Diseases: 10.5% of lupus and rheumatic disease patients died Much higher rate than infected people without rheumatic disease People with lupus and rheumatic diseases are at risk… ​What is the bottom line? What …

Lupus Research Article Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone improves vascular and metabolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus This NIH research study suggests that pioglitazone is helpful for lupus patients Hasni S, Temesgen-Oyelakin Y, Davis M, Chu J, Poncio E, Naqi …

Evaluation and recommendations by noted lupus experts: Lupus patients need COVID vaccines Hot off the press from Lupus Science & Medicine revised 6/13/21: Added mycophenolate, NSAIDs, and Tylenol to the list of drugs that should be held for vaccines SARS-CoV-2 …

Lupus Lifestyle Changes are Important: Read here to learn about important dietary changes   Update in February 2023:      -Increasing the amount of selenium and zinc may be beneficial for lupus (see full discussion below above the image of tomatoes). Foods include:…

Some Immunosuppressant Drugs Cause Lower Antibody Levels after COVID Vaccine than do Other Drugs Home » Skin Problems in Lupus A large study was published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases showing antibody levels after COVID vaccine in patients on …

A potential new drug for lupus–​here are some early factsUPDATE: Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) was FDA-approved on August 2, 2021Saphnelo: The next FDA-approved drug to treat lupus Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) has the lupus community excited as the next …

An Epstein Barr virus (EBV) vaccine to prevent lupus? EBV infection may be a common trigger, causing the onset of diseases like lupus. This list includes disorders such as: Lupus Sjogren’s disease Rheumatoid arthritis Multiple sclerosis Chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic …

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can go into a lupus remission on medications or treatment Lupus patient: “My doctor told me last week that she has seen lupus go away in some patients. She said she thinks I am one of …

Lupus Question of The Day: Is Benlysta for mild lupus nephritis? Ask Dr. T question and shortened answer about Benlysta in lupus nephritis Question of the Day: “I have lupus nephritis and just heard that Benlysta has been approved …

Lupus and taking probiotics: Should you take probiotics if you have lupus, and what are the best probiotics for autoimmune disease? Lupus and taking probiotics: My answer in short: “No” to pills; “Yes” to probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods! Lupus Question …

LATEST UPDATE: A nicely done study by Melles RB et al, FEB 2023, Hydroxychloroquine Dose and Risk for Incident Retinopathy A Cohort Study, resulted in this nice quote: “our findings suggest that, under current screening recommendations and …

Research Article: Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice Goebel A, Krock E, Gentry C, Israel MR, Jurczak A, Urbina CM, Sandor K, Vastani N, Maurer M, Cuhadar U, Sensi S, Nomura Y, Menezes J, Baharpoor A, Brieskorn …

Kelli of “More Than Lupus” describes what she considers the best lupus books ​ What are your favorite lupus books? The best lupus books should deal with all aspects of lupus, evaluating the best medical evidence. They may …

Lupus and Bactrim: List sulfa antibiotics (like Bactrim) in your allergy list if you have lupus Lupus patients are more likely to have allergies to antibiotics (plus, lupus and Bactrim are a bad combination)​ While lupus and Bactrim are …

Read on to learn about newer tests that can help get a more accurate and faster diagnosis of lupus for a positive ANA workup         The Positive ANA Workup Begins the Journey     If someone is found to have a positive antinuclear …

Do not automatically stop hydroxychloroquine if your eye doctor tells you your patient has HCQ-retinopathy! Heed my practical advice below credit: By Wies6014 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, httpscommons.wikimedia.orgwindex.phpcurid=77634880 FEB 2023 UPDATE: Good news from a 2023 study… “…

Super spreader COVID-19: New study shows the answers in the Annals of Internal Medicine Wear a mask to protect others! Quick Summary of Important Findings of the super spreader COVID-19: Super spreader COVID-19 information: Most infected people do not transmit …

Lupus and Sleep Problems are Common! Here are simple, effective strategies to improve your sleep Tips on better sleep Lupus and sleep problems are real. The lack of sleep has been associated with numerous problems such as fatigue, memory and …

Do Flu Shots Cause Lupus Flares? Lupus flare after flu shot? Question of the day: Dr. Thomas, I have lupus and was told by another lupus patient that she gets a flare when she gets a flu shot. Do …