Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to attack your own tissues. One such area that can be affected is the skin.

Some of the more common autoimmune skin diseases include:

• Scleroderma: affects all your body’s connective tissue
• Psoriasis: causes red, scaly patches of skin
• Dermatomyositis: causes muscle weakness, soreness, and stiffness
• Epidermolysis bullosa: causes fluid-filled skin blisters to develop
• Bullous pemphigoid: causes blisters to develop on the skin

Treatments

Medications
Your dermatologist may prescribe medication to treat the symptoms of your autoimmune skin condition, as well as to treat the underlying cause.

Therapy
Your dermatologist may recommend you work with a physical or occupational therapist to help you manage your pain, improve your strength and mobility, and maintain independence in completing daily tasks. Therapy is especially helpful in the case of debilitating conditions.

Surgery
In extreme cases, you may need surgery for complications related to scleroderma, including amputation or a transplant.

Ointment or Cream
You may need to apply an ointment, cream, or lotion to the affected area to help reduce bothersome symptoms related to the autoimmune skin condition. A topical steroid cream may be prescribed in more severe cases.

Light Therapy
In some instances, your dermatologist may recommend light therapy to help reduce rashes related to this condition and to control itching.

Laser Treatment
In this treatment, your dermatologist uses a highly-targeted medical laser to treat the symptoms of the autoimmune skin disease.

Vitamins Your dermatologist may recommend you take certain vitamins, which can help your body combat the underlying autoimmune condition that causes the bothersome symptoms.

Tests

Physical Exam
Through a medical examination of your skin, we can accurately diagnose and determine the best way to treat your autoimmune skin disease.

Blood Test
Your dermatologist may use a blood test to check for elevated levels of certain antibodies produced by your immune system.

Biopsy
To confirm the diagnosis of your condition, we may remove a small section of the affected skin (biopsy) and send it to a laboratory for analysis.

Why Choose UHealth?

World-class leaders in skin care treatment. University of Miami Health System is recognized throughout South Florida and the world as a leader in caring for conditions and disorders of the skin. Backed by one of the nation’s top universities, our team uses the latest technologies and research-driven expertise to provide superior, personalized treatments for dermatologic conditions.

Largest in-patient dermatology service in the United States Located at UHealth Tower, the facilities are equipped with the newest equipment. Approximately 500 patients are admitted to the hospital during every year. The diseases treated vary from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, cutaneous lymphoma, severe infections of the skin, immunobullous disorders, and severe reactions to medicines, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis. The dermatology unit has individual rooms and therapeutic modalities such as ultraviolet light therapy, photopheresis, and hydrotherapy.

Compassionate care in an academic medical center. You benefit from the state-of-the-art technology and latest medical advancements developed by our researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. You will receive the most accurate diagnosis and a detailed plan to keep your skin healthy.