Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesMedicationsTreatmentTestsWhen To Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Medications
Treatment
Tests
When To Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Lupusis an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. There are four different types of lupus, one of which affects the skin only. This is referred to ascutaneous lupus.
People with lupus may experience skin problems when they are having a flare, or flare-up (when symptoms worsen), such as during times of stress or illness. Certain skin conditions are also specific to lupus.
Learn more about lupus skin conditions, their causes, and how to treat them.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some sort of skin disease.Skin rash can often be the first symptom of lupus and can appear differently depending on what type of skin condition you are experiencing. There are three different types:
Lupus symptoms are different for everyone who has it, making it a complicated disease to treat. Although lupus is considered a disease of the whole body, oftentimes people will develop skin conditions that can come and go.
What Medications Can Cause a Lupus Rash?
There is a phenomenon referred to as drug-induced lupus that is associated with symptoms similar tosystemic lupuserythematosus(SLE), which commonly presents as a skin rash.While many medications have been linked to drug-induced lupus, there are a few that have a higher risk, which include:
Medication-Induced Lupus Symptoms and Treatment
How to Treat Lupus Rash
The treatment for a lupus rash will depend on its cause, the severity of the skin, as well as the location and type of rash. Treatment should take place under the supervision of arheumatologist(a specialist in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones) anddermatologist(specialist in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails), who will educate you on sun protection, and if necessary, prescribe medication based on your symptoms. The medications may include:
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of a Lupus Rash?
Different types of lupus can cause a skin rash. In addition to visually examining your skin, your dermatologist may remove a small sample of the rash(skin biopsy)to be examined under a microscope in a lab.Your healthcare provider will also ask you what types of medications you are taking to rule out drug-induced lupus.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Self-care is important inmanaging lupusrashes. Refraining from smoking, avoiding the sun, not scratching or picking at the skin, and using a colloidal oatmeal bath are all ways to soothe the skin and keep it protected.
If you have a new skin problem or an existing one that is changing, getting worse, or looking unfamiliar you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. In addition, if you have new moles that look suspicious in size, shape, or color, you should have your healthcare provider look at them. People with cutaneous lupus may be at increased risk ofdeveloping skin cancer.
Summary
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, causing rashes that appear differently in people. Rashes can come and go depending on the cause. It’s important to avoid picking and scratching at the skin as this can cause the rash to spread or get worse. Additionally, avoiding the sun and seeing a dermatologist can help you to determine a treatment plan that works for you.
A Word From Verywell
If you have drug-induced lupus, finding a new medication may be part of your treatment plan. While there is no cure for lupus, its symptoms can be treated and most people who experience lupus rashes can live active lives.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, it can go away and return. A lupus rash is an inflammatory response occurring during a disease flare, or flare-up, when symptoms worsen. The rash may come and go on its own based on the trigger. However, a rash that is not treated may take longer to go away.Lupus signs and symptoms include extreme fatigue, pain or swelling in the joints, swelling in the hands and feet, hair loss, sores in the mouth, a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose, headaches, and low fevers.Some of these symptoms are shared with other diseases so experiencing these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus.No. Lupus is not curable, but it is treatable.
Yes, it can go away and return. A lupus rash is an inflammatory response occurring during a disease flare, or flare-up, when symptoms worsen. The rash may come and go on its own based on the trigger. However, a rash that is not treated may take longer to go away.
Lupus signs and symptoms include extreme fatigue, pain or swelling in the joints, swelling in the hands and feet, hair loss, sores in the mouth, a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose, headaches, and low fevers.Some of these symptoms are shared with other diseases so experiencing these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have lupus.
No. Lupus is not curable, but it is treatable.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lupus Foundation of America.What is cutaneous lupus?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: diagnosis and treatment.Solhjoo M, Goyal A, Chauhan K.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus.[Updated 2022 Jan 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: tips to reduce flares.Lupus Foundation of America.Lupus symptoms.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lupus Foundation of America.What is cutaneous lupus?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: diagnosis and treatment.Solhjoo M, Goyal A, Chauhan K.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus.[Updated 2022 Jan 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: tips to reduce flares.Lupus Foundation of America.Lupus symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lupus Foundation of America.What is cutaneous lupus?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: diagnosis and treatment.Solhjoo M, Goyal A, Chauhan K.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus.[Updated 2022 Jan 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: tips to reduce flares.Lupus Foundation of America.Lupus symptoms.
Lupus Foundation of America.What is cutaneous lupus?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: diagnosis and treatment.
Solhjoo M, Goyal A, Chauhan K.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus.[Updated 2022 Jan 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lupus and your skin: tips to reduce flares.
Lupus Foundation of America.Lupus symptoms.
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