Learning More About the Lupus Rash
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a bodily disorder that may or may not involve skin lesions; however about ninety percent of people with lupus will get skin symptoms that will look unsightly, and that can be alarming. Many of these skin symptoms will be common to Caucasians, more so than in African Americans. The classic rash of lupus will manifest in cheek redness, which can be initiated by exposure to the sun. However, there are many different kinds of rashes that are characteristic of lupus, and it would pay to know what their differences are.
One common rash of lupus is the discoid lupus, which manifests in the skin taking on a scaly appearance, red patches appearing, and later, scarring. These patches will usually appear on the scalp and forehead, and it can lead to hair loss on the scalp. This may be more common in African Americans who are afflicted with lupus. Sometimes, discoid lupus can be an isolated condition, with some flares, but without skin rashes on the person’s scalp and without the systemic disease. Once the flare is placed under control, hair regrowth can begin.
A butterfly distribution of rashes on the face is characteristic of acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This rash can be located on both cheeks, and can stretch over the bridge of the nose. It will usually manifest following exposure to the sun, and it can stay for a longer time before it actually heals. However, this rash will not cause scarring. This rash might also occur with other rashes in other parts of the body.
On the other hand, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus can be localized to one region, or a generalized disease. This rash will often occur after exposure to the sun, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as though a reaction to a drug is occurring. Many of these lesions will heal without causing scarring, but there may be lesions that will persist and become crusty. These will heal only with slight scarring.
Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, or discoid lupus, can occur anywhere, but will most likely occur in the ears and scalp. The lesions may be slightly elevated, and then become bright red and raised later. As time passes, the centers of these lesions will be depressed, the color will start fading, and the periphery of these lesions will enlarge and become irregular. These lesions can heal, although they may leave a scar.
The lupus panniculitis rash will appear on the skin as deep nodules. These are actually beneath the skin, residing in subcutaneous tissue. When such rashes heal, they will leave heavy scars. Another type of rash occurs in bullous lupus erythematosus, in which the skin contains blisters with clear fluids; these blisters are anywhere from 3 millimeters, to over 4 centimeters in diameters. The rash begins with exposure to the sun, and they can heal after a week without leaving scars. Lastly, neonatal lupus occurs in newborns. These cases can occur whether or not the mother has lupus.
These are only a few facts about lupus scars and rashes that you will need to know about. For more information, talk to your doctor and consult on possible treatments and your prognosis. With research, as well as a good doctor who knows how to treat your specific case, you can feel better soon.
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