How can Lupus affect the mouth and nose?
One of the most common features of lupus is mouth ulcers. This often occurs during flares of the disease, and may be associated with joint pains, rashes and hair loss. Fortunately when the disease settles, the mouth ulcers settle as well in most people, although stress or tiredness can make the mouth ulcers worse. Mouth ulcers can be painful and uncomfortable. If they are an ongoing problem simple treatments such as antiseptic mouthwashes can be helpful, and sometimes steroid lozenges or paste are necessary. Occasionally the nose can also be similarly affected and is treated with Vaseline cream or, in more severe cases, steroid paste or nasal spray. In the vast majority of people these simple measures coupled with good control of the disease are all that is necessary. In the rare cases where ulceration of the mouth or nose is more severe then more specialist drugs may be required, such as dissolvable steroid tablets. Don’t forget that there are things you can do to help. Keeping your t
