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People with autoimmune diseases often face a complicated journey to diagnosis and treatment. Those whose skin is affected face the additional stigma of having symptoms that are visible to everyone they meet. Doctors in Yale Medicine's dermatology and rheumatology departments work closely together to help people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and scleroderma look and feel as good as possible. They not only provide warm, personal patient care, but also participate in research to advance treatment of skin conditions associated with autoimmune diseases for people all around the world. Autoimmune diseases tend to bring complicated symptoms. Many people with these conditions see doctors in several medical specialties. Lupus and scleroderma are two that primarily affect the skin, requiring dermatology care. But these diseases may also affect connective tissues, which are treated by a rheumatologist. “At Yale Medicine, we aim for an interdisciplinary approach for patients who may require the expertise of multiple specialists,” says Sarika Manoj Ramachandran, MD, a Yale Medicine dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.