Herbal treatments risk exacerbation
                Prevalence and Risk of Immunostimulatory Herbal Supplement Treatment Among Autoimmune Dermatology Patients.
                                                    
                                    
                             
         
        
            
            We assessed the prevalence and patterns of herbal supplement use among patients with autoimmune skin diseases, specifically dermatomyositis (DM) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). In this study, we found that the rate of herbal supplement use was notably prevalent—about 32% of the surveyed patients reported using them. 
        Among these patients, we observed a trend where younger individuals and those from Hispanic/Latino backgrounds were more likely to try herbal treatments. However, when we honed in on the effects of elderberry, we noticed a concerning pattern. Specifically, about 62% of DM patients and 50% of CLE patients experienced a disease onset or exacerbation after using elderberry, suggesting a potential risk associated with this supplement. 
        As we examined these findings, it became clear that while many patients gravitate towards herbal remedies, supplements like elderberry may carry risks, particularly regarding immune system regulation in autoimmune disorders. This reinforces the need for healthcare providers to actively engage with patients about their use of such treatments.                                
         
        
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