In cutaneous lupus, the immune system targets skin cells, causing inflammation that leads to red, thick, and often scaly rashes and sores that may burn or itch. Symptoms may flare up and disappear in unpredictable patterns. Without treatment, flares may persist for months or longer.
A tell-tale sign of lupus is a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and bridge of the nose. Other common skin problems include sensitivity to the sun with flaky, red spots or a scaly, purple rash on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and arms. Some people also develop mouth sores.
There are different types of lupus, and each can affect the skin differently. You may see a rash, sores, swelling, or other changes. These changes often appear on skin that gets sun like the: Face.
About 25% of people with lupus experience lesions that affect the mouth, nose, and sometimes even the eyes. These lesions may feel like small ulcers or “canker sores.” Such sores are not dangerous but can be uncomfortable if not treated.
Although cutaneous involvement, such as malar and discoid rashes, is common in patients with SLE, ulceration is uncommon.
A corticosteroid that your dermatologist injects: This can help clear a thick lupus patch on your skin. Antimalarial medication: Used to treat malaria, this medication can also clear skin rashes due to lupus and prevent lupus flares. Antimalarial medication works slowly.
Possible Causes
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or artificial light sources may bring on a lupus rash. Rashes occur when immune cells in your skin react to UV light sources, releasing chemicals that inflame your skin. This type of reaction indicates that your skin is photosensitive.
For individuals with a diagnosis of lupus, mouth ulcers may be a sign of a flare-up, which could require medical treatment. A person may wish to contact their doctor if their mouth sore lasts longer than 3 weeks or becomes very painful.
Some of these "SLE mimickers" are very common, such as rosacea which can be mistaken for the butterfly rash, while others such as Kikuchi disease, type-1 interferonopathies, Castleman's disease, prolidase deficiency, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, Evans' syndrome in the context of primary immune deficiencies and ...
There are several types of chronic cutaneous lupus, with discoid lupus being the most common. “Discoid” refers to the round shape of the sores or lesions that develop. These are thick, raised, scaly patches that are often pink and may flake or form a crust on the surface of the skin.
Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune diseases. It causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body. It can affect the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and genitals. Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common type of pemphigus.
Symptoms of skin lupus include: Red, scaly areas of skin. They can be round, like a coin or a disk. Darker red rings or borders may outline the scaly patches.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical presentations resulting from its effect on multiple organ systems. There are four main types of lupus: neonatal, discoid, drug-induced, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the type that affects the majority of patients.
Antibody blood tests
The test you will hear about most is called the antinuclear antibodies test (the ANA test). 97% of people with lupus will test positive for ANA.
lupus psychosis. It is described as delusions or hallucinations. About 12 percent of lupus patients experience it. A few more little-known symptoms are vertigo, Raynaud's Syndrome, and oral health problems, like gum disease.
If you have lupus, you might experience joint pain, skin sensitivities and rashes, and issues with internal organs (brain, lungs, kidneys and heart). Many of your symptoms might come and go in waves — often called flare-ups. At times, symptoms of lupus might be mild or not noticeable (meaning they're in remission).
Lupus is known as "the great imitator" because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. Lupus symptoms can also be unclear, can come and go, and can change. On average, it takes nearly six years for people with lupus to be diagnosed, from the time they first notice their lupus symptoms.
With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. It is true that medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, and some people do die from the disease. However, for the majority of people living with the disease today, it will not be fatal.
Weight changes — Lupus can sometimes cause weight loss or weight gain. Weight loss may be unintentional and due to decreased appetite or problems with the digestive system (see 'Digestive system' below).
The effects lupus may have in and around the eyes include: changes in the skin around the eyelids, dry eyes, inflammation of the white outer layer of the eyeball, blood vessel changes in the retina, and damage to nerves controlling eye movement and affecting vision.
Kidneys About one half of people with lupus experience kidney involvement, and the kidney has become the most extensively studied organ affected by lupus. Lungs About 50% of people with SLE will experience lung involvement during the course of their disease.
Environment. Exposure to certain factors in the environment – such as viral infections, sunlight, certain medications, and smoking – may trigger lupus.