Lupus and your skin: Overview
What is lupus?
Lupus is a disease that can affect the skin in many ways. It may cause a:
Widespread rash on the back
Thick scaly patch on the face
Sore(s) in the mouth or nose
Flare-up that looks like sunburn
Butterfly rash
This rash appears on the nose and cheeks in the shape of a butterfly, skipping the skin under each side of the nose.
Lupus can show up on the skin in other ways, too.
When lupus affects the skin, it is called cutaneous (medical term for skin) lupus. There are different types of cutaneous lupus. For many people who have cutaneous lupus, the lupus affects only their skin.
Some types of cutaneous lupus are more common in people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a type of lupus that can affect different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and lungs.
How a dermatologist can help
A dermatologist can tell you whether you have lupus or another skin condition. What looks like a lupus rash on your face could be another skin condition like rosacea or an allergic skin reaction.
If you have cutaneous lupus, a dermatologist can:
Develop a sun-protection plan that’s right for you
Create a treatment plan for your skin
Recommend skin care products that are less likely to irritate skin with lupus
Teach you how to camouflage lupus on your skin with makeup
Help determine whether lupus affects other parts of your body
Check your skin for signs of skin cancer
Lupus and skin cancer
Lupus can increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. If you take a medicine that works on your immune system, you may have a higher risk of getting skin cancer.
People who have a type of lupus called discoid lupus may also have a greater risk. When discoid lupus develops on the lip or inside the mouth, it increases a person’s risk for a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
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References
Grönhagen CM, Nyberg F. “Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: An update.” Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014 Jan-Mar;5(1): 7–13.
Kuhn A, Rutland V, et al. “Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Update of therapeutic options: Part 1.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Dec;65:3179-93.
Okon LG, Werth VP, “Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Diagnosis and treatment.” Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2013 Jun; 27(3): 391–404.