Physical therapy may help early in the process to prevent joint contracture. Range of motion exercises can also help protect joints and keep them limber. When the muscle weakness is preceded or accompanied by a red rash on the nose, cheeks, knees, or knuckles and a purple coloring on the eyelids, the disorder is called dermatomyositis. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment, says rheumatologist Kramer. In severe cases, immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate or cyclophosphamide may be prescribed.
Physical therapy can help prevent muscles from shrinking as they heal.
Antimalarial drugs may be prescribed to reduce joint swelling pain and rash, including the patchy, crusty red skin patches associated with this disorder. Immunosuppressive drugs may be used to treat patients with very severe symptoms, such as advanced kidney disease or central nervous system disease. SLE patients are advised to avoid the sun, which can precipitate or aggravate a flare-up of the disease. Daily sunblock use is recommended, even for those patients who don't spend much time in the sun.