Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a cutaneous condition characterized by a bilateral
malar rash (also known as a "butterfly rash") and lesions that tend to be transient, and that follow sun exposure.
The acute form is distinct from chronic and
subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which may have different types of skin lesions.
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is associated with both lupus erythematosus-specific lesions and cutaneous manifestations that are not specific to lupus erythematosus, such as oral
ulcers
An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing o ...
and
urticaria
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps. Hives may burn or sting. The patches of rash may appear on different body parts, with variable duration from minutes to days, and does not leave any long-last ...
.
Because of the diagnostic criteria used to diagnose
systemic lupus erythematosus, a patient with only cutaneous manifestations may be diagnosed with the systemic form of the disease.
Forms
Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus can be either localized or generalized.
Localized form
The localized form of the disease is most commonly associated with the malar rash and normally develops in a patient's twenties. The localized form occurs only above the patient's neck and is not associated with rashes in other parts of the body.
Generalized form
Generalized acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus includes skin below the patient's neck and is described as a macropapular rash or photosensitive lupus dermatitis.
Symptoms include similar
erythema
Erythema (from the Greek , meaning red) is redness of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by hyperemia (increased blood flow) in superficial capillaries. It occurs with any skin injury, infection, or inflammation. Examples of erythema not asso ...
tic lesions as seen in the localized form, but forms a symmetrical rash and can be mistaken for a drug rash.
See also
*
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a collection of autoimmune diseases in which the human immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues. Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blo ...
*
List of cutaneous conditions
References
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus
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