RA skin problem #1: Knobby growths (rheumatoid nodules)
These firm, possibly painful, lumps under the skin are the most common skin complaint among RA patients, Dr. Ngo says.
They usually appear on hands, fingers, knuckles and elbows, and most aren't dangerous. But they can become infected, ulcerated or turn into gangrene (dead tissue caused by blocked circulation or a bacterial infection), if your RA isn't controlled.
Rheumatoid nodules also form internally, in the heart, the lining of a lung or other organs – usually in patients with long-term, inadequately treated RA, Dr. Jabbari says. Lung nodules may trigger shortness of breath, and heart nodules can sometimes lead to arrhythmias and heart-valve disease, according to a 2006 article published by the British Society for Rheumatology.
Expert advice: With all infections, it's best to systemically control RA with medications, Dr. Jabbari says. These include anti-inflammatory steroid drugs and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which suppress an overactive immune system and prevent RA from getting worse. The infected nodules are typically treated with antibiotics.
DMARDs usually prevent or reduce nodules, but they don't always work. Because they also suppress the immune system, they may increase your risk of developing them and other infections, Dr. Ngo says.
"It's always difficult to find the right balance [of medication that] helps control the disease, without patients getting a skin flare," she explains.
Source: http://ift.tt/1zRNcNY
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