Jump to full article: Medindia Health Network (in), 2009-11-04
Intro: Reports say researchers have come up with another reason to stay away from cigarettes after linking smoking to skin problems in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Experts at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) found that smokers with the long-term autoimmune disorder faced an increased risk for skin damage and rashes.
The study's lead author Dr. Christian A Pineau, Co-Director of the Lupus and Vasculitis clinic at the MUHC, said: "Up to 85 per cent of people with SLE develop skin involvement at some point.
"Our study shows that the risk of skin damage such as permanent hair loss and scarring from skin inflammation is significantly increased in smokers. So is the rate of active lupus rash."
Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, study co-author and physician in the MUHC's Rheumatology Division, added: "However, smoking may interfere with the effectiveness of some medications used to control skin disease in SLE.
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