What are the symptoms of cutaneous lupus?

Cutaneous lupus includes a variety of symptoms of skin rashes, where exposure to UV light triggers a rash and can be seen on the inside of the mouth or nose.

What do the rashes look like?

The rashes of cutaneous lupus  can appear in various forms they include the following:  A butterfly rash a very distinctive rash that could extend across the cheeks of the face and the bridge of the nose.  It may be flat or raised, bright red or just mild coloring, light pink color in the skin.  The face shows the rash in a pattern like a butterfly, the wings being beneath both eyes and the body covers the bridge of the nose.

Another rash is a discoid rash which is coin shaped or oval in shape, like a disc which is mostly seen on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sunlight.  Discoid sores tend to be red in color raised and are scaly.  The may leave a scar once healed.  The rashes can change the color of the persons skin, making the lesions area darker or lighter then before.  Discoid lesions appear on the face and scalp in a butterfly shape, especially the v of the neck which receives sunlight.  Discoid lupus erythematous (LE) lesions are painless and do not itch.

Chronic cutaneous lupus may also appear in different forms including:  

   1. Verrucous wart-like discoid LE

   2. Lupus Tumidus - elevated areas of red skin with no scale or scarring

   3. Lupus Profundus - discoid skin lesions in conjunction with panniculitis

   4. Palmar-Plantar Erosive Discoid LE - discoid lesions on the hands and feet 

Subacute Cutaneous Lesions: is another form of lupus skin rash these lesions are classified by there redness.  Other classifications include coin shaped lesions, they are very sensitive to light and tend to get worse with UV light exposure.  They do not leave behind any scaring, but they can appear in large areas of the body.  Subacute Cutaneous lupus erythematous (SCLE is a subset of cutaneous lupus) may very well experience symptoms that are systemic which include the following:

    * muscle and joint pain,  fever and, general discomfort.  

Serious problems are rare involving kidney or the nervous system.

Cutaneous lupus rashes are rarely seen, the appearance of these skin rashes vary and are difficult to diagnose by the eye so other test are necessary to diagnose them.

How is cutaneous lupus diagnosed?

Cutaneous Lupus is very difficult to diagnose because of the variability of the skin rash appearances.  A skin biopsy can be performed to diagnose the rash.

What kind of Doctor specializes in cutaneous lupus?

Cutaneous lupus involves the skin, hair and nails and as well a Dermatologist would be the one who specializes in this area.

How is cutaneous lupus treated?

Cutaneous lupus treatment may include corticosteroid creams or ointments applied to the rash or lesion.  If the lesion does not respond to the cream the doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections directly into the lesion.  If the lesions are widespread oral corticosteroid medications are prescribed or the doctor could prescribe antimalarial medication such as plaquenil another word being hydroxychloroquine.