Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLupus RashOther SymptomsWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Lupus Rash

Other Symptoms

When to See a Provider

Diagnosis

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Whilelupuscan affect anyone, it is more common in females than in males and there is a higher prevalence in Black Americans and people of Native American and Asian descent more than other populations in the United States.People with dark-pigmented skin who have lupus are prone to skin conditions that arise from the lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus(lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease thatcan affect any part of the body. In lupus, the immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, attacks healthy tissues and organs leading to widespread inflammation.

This inflammation causes a variety of symptoms and can lead to permanent damage. Lupus is unpredictable and can affect the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood, and brain.

Symptoms of lupus can come and go. People with lupus often go through periods of illness or flares and periods of remission in which symptoms lessen or disappear.

This article will discuss lupus rash on dark skin, other lupus symptoms, when to see a healthcare provider, how lupus is diagnosed, and treatment options.

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Black woman with lupus discusses condition with healthcare provider

Lupus Rash on Black Skin

People with lupus often experienceskin involvement. Rashes, lesions, plaques, and scarring are common in up to 70% of people with the disease.

Most people with lupus will experience amalar rash(a rash across the bridge of the nose and upper cheeks). Sun is a common trigger for this type of rash.

Other lupus skin rashes can be either chronic (long term) or short term. These includediscoid lupus, which causes round disk-shaped sores on the face and scalp that can scar and change colors.

People with dark skin are more prone to experiencing these lupus rashes. On Black skin, the rashes tend to appear more frequently on the scalp and ears. These rashes can cause scarring and discoloration.

Dyspigmentation(a darker or lighter color than normal) is a common symptom of lupus rashes on dark skin. This may be due to increased melanin (dark pigment) in the skin or to loss of skin color in the scars, which causes a higher contrast between the scarred skin and healthy skin.

People with dark skin are also more prone to experience hair loss with scarring and should talk to their healthcare provider about gentle hair care practices.

Other Lupus Symptoms

Since lupus can attack any part of the body, lupus symptoms are varied and include:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you have been diagnosed with lupus and experience any new or worsening symptoms, such as a skin rash, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider so that they can adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

If you have not been diagnosed with lupus butexperience the symptomslisted here, talk to your healthcare provider so they can determine whether lupus is the cause of the symptoms.

Lupus Diagnosis

There is no one specific test to diagnose lupus.Diagnosing lupuscan be a lengthy process as lupus symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of other diseases.

To diagnose lupus a healthcare provider will take a full medical history, complete a physical exam, and ask if there is a family history of lupus or other autoimmune diseases.

The healthcare provider may also conduct other tests such as:

Lupus PrevalenceThe prevalence of developing lupus is higher in females, who are diagnosed with it 9 times more often than males. Black Americans, Native Americans, and people of Asian heritage are diagnosed with lupus more often than other groups.People who have a family history of lupus are also at higher risk. While still being studied, certain environmental factors such as smoking, exposure to pesticides, and use of oral contraceptives have also been shown to raise the risk of developing lupus.

Lupus Prevalence

The prevalence of developing lupus is higher in females, who are diagnosed with it 9 times more often than males. Black Americans, Native Americans, and people of Asian heritage are diagnosed with lupus more often than other groups.People who have a family history of lupus are also at higher risk. While still being studied, certain environmental factors such as smoking, exposure to pesticides, and use of oral contraceptives have also been shown to raise the risk of developing lupus.

The prevalence of developing lupus is higher in females, who are diagnosed with it 9 times more often than males. Black Americans, Native Americans, and people of Asian heritage are diagnosed with lupus more often than other groups.

People who have a family history of lupus are also at higher risk. While still being studied, certain environmental factors such as smoking, exposure to pesticides, and use of oral contraceptives have also been shown to raise the risk of developing lupus.

Lupus Treatment

While there is no cure for lupus, there are treatments to prevent flares, reduce organ damage, and lessen symptoms.

Medications for lupus include:

Summary

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. Skin rashes are a common symptom, especially in Black people. In people with black skin, these rashes can causes scarring and discoloration.

While the diagnosis of lupus can take time and there is no cure, treatments for the disease exist to minimize symptoms, prevent flares, and prolong life.

A Word From Verywell

Living with the unpredictability of lupuscan be difficult. Learning to live with your symptoms may take time to adjust to. Experiencing skin rashes that cause scarring and discoloration may add to the stress of living with the disease.

Talking to your healthcare provider about your concerns can help ease some of this stress. Don’t be afraid to seek second opinions if you don’t feel your concerns are addressed. Finding someone who understands the full impact of scarring, discoloration, and hair loss can help you feel more at ease.

Frequently Asked QuestionsThe beginning of a lupus rash could be a darker, lighter, or redder skin color with raised edges or other indications of swelling. It may appear like an allergic reaction.If you have lupus and develop a rash, it may indeed be related to lupus. A skin biopsy can confirm a lupus rash.Lupus is not curable, but treatments do exist to prevent flares and help you live longer and with minimal symptoms.

The beginning of a lupus rash could be a darker, lighter, or redder skin color with raised edges or other indications of swelling. It may appear like an allergic reaction.

If you have lupus and develop a rash, it may indeed be related to lupus. A skin biopsy can confirm a lupus rash.

Lupus is not curable, but treatments do exist to prevent flares and help you live longer and with minimal symptoms.

8 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.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).Stannard JN, Kahlenberg JM.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: updates on pathogenesis and associations with systemic lupus.Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016;28(5):453-459. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000308Lupus Foundation of America.How lupus affects the skin.Joseph AK, Windsor B, Hynan LS, Chong BF.Discoid lupus erythematosus skin lesion distribution and characteristics in Black patients: a retrospective cohort study.Lupus Sci Med. 2021;8(1):e000514. doi:10.1136/lupus-2021-000514Lupus Foundation of America.When to call the doctor.Cleveland Clinic.Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).Parks CG, de Souza Espindola Santos A, Barbhaiya M, Costenbader KH.Understanding the role of environmental factors in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(3):306-320. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.09.005Okon LG, Werth VP.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and treatment.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2013;27(3):391-404. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.07.008

8 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.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).Stannard JN, Kahlenberg JM.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: updates on pathogenesis and associations with systemic lupus.Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016;28(5):453-459. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000308Lupus Foundation of America.How lupus affects the skin.Joseph AK, Windsor B, Hynan LS, Chong BF.Discoid lupus erythematosus skin lesion distribution and characteristics in Black patients: a retrospective cohort study.Lupus Sci Med. 2021;8(1):e000514. doi:10.1136/lupus-2021-000514Lupus Foundation of America.When to call the doctor.Cleveland Clinic.Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).Parks CG, de Souza Espindola Santos A, Barbhaiya M, Costenbader KH.Understanding the role of environmental factors in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(3):306-320. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.09.005Okon LG, Werth VP.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and treatment.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2013;27(3):391-404. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.07.008

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.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).Stannard JN, Kahlenberg JM.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: updates on pathogenesis and associations with systemic lupus.Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016;28(5):453-459. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000308Lupus Foundation of America.How lupus affects the skin.Joseph AK, Windsor B, Hynan LS, Chong BF.Discoid lupus erythematosus skin lesion distribution and characteristics in Black patients: a retrospective cohort study.Lupus Sci Med. 2021;8(1):e000514. doi:10.1136/lupus-2021-000514Lupus Foundation of America.When to call the doctor.Cleveland Clinic.Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).Parks CG, de Souza Espindola Santos A, Barbhaiya M, Costenbader KH.Understanding the role of environmental factors in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(3):306-320. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.09.005Okon LG, Werth VP.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and treatment.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2013;27(3):391-404. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.07.008

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).

Stannard JN, Kahlenberg JM.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: updates on pathogenesis and associations with systemic lupus.Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016;28(5):453-459. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000308

Lupus Foundation of America.How lupus affects the skin.

Joseph AK, Windsor B, Hynan LS, Chong BF.Discoid lupus erythematosus skin lesion distribution and characteristics in Black patients: a retrospective cohort study.Lupus Sci Med. 2021;8(1):e000514. doi:10.1136/lupus-2021-000514

Lupus Foundation of America.When to call the doctor.

Cleveland Clinic.Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).

Parks CG, de Souza Espindola Santos A, Barbhaiya M, Costenbader KH.Understanding the role of environmental factors in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2017;31(3):306-320. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2017.09.005

Okon LG, Werth VP.Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and treatment.Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2013;27(3):391-404. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.07.008

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