As a rule, not, as the features of the disease—the sharply circumscribed outline, the reddish or violaceous color, the elevated border, the tendency to central depression and atrophy, the plugged up or patulous sebaceous ducts, the adherent grayish or yellowish scales, together with the region attacked (usually the nose and cheeks)— are characteristic.
State the prognosis of lupus erythematosus.
The disease is often capricious and extremely rebellious to treatment; some cases, up to a certain point at least, yield readily, and occasionally a tendency to spontaneous disappearance is observed; a complete cure is, however, it must be confessed, rather rare. The disease in nowise compromises the general health. In those rare instances of generalized disease the patient has usually died from an intercurrent tuberculosis.
How is lupus erythematosus to be treated?
The general health is to be looked after and systemic treatment prescribed, if indicated. As a rule, constitutional remedies exert little, if any, influence, but exceptionally, cod-liver oil, arsenic, phosphorus, salicin, quinine, or potassium iodide proves of service.
Locally, according to the case, soothing remedies, stimulating applications and destruction of the growth by caustics or operative measures are to be employed. (Try the milder applications first.)
Mention the stimulating applications commonly employed.
Washing the parts energetically with tincture of sapo viridis, rinsing and applying a soothing ointment, such as cold cream or vaseline.
A lotion containing zinc sulphate and potassium sulphuret thoroughly dabbed on the parts morning and evening:—
℞ Zinci sulphatis,
Potassii sulphurati, ................āā........... ʒi-ʒiv
Glycerinæ, ....................................... ♏iv
Aquæ, ........................................... f℥iv. M.