Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesMalar Rash and LupusTreatmentLife-Threatening ComplicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Malar Rash and Lupus
Treatment
Life-Threatening Complications
Frequently Asked Questions
A malar rash is an outbreak on the face that appears as discoloration (change in the natural skin tone) or redness of the skin on the nose, cheeks, and chin. It’s a unique rash because it can be associated with different medical conditions, such as those that will trigger the immune system to be hyperactive.When the immune system is activated against itself, conditions known as autoimmune disorders can develop.
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system—which normally attacks viruses and bacteria—makes a mistake and starts attacking itself. Some autoimmune disorders are central causes of malar rash.
This article teaches about the common causes of malar rash, how they are diagnosed, and how they are treated.
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What Is a Malar Rash?
Malar rash—sometimes called a butterfly rash—is an eruption on the skin that makes specific regions of skin on the face appear discolored or red.A malar rash in itself is not usually itchy or painful. Instead, malar rash is most noticeable as a deep discoloration (change in the natural skin tone), red, or pink color that spreads across the nose and the cheeks.
Typically, a malar rash—or discoloration or redness on the face—is an indicator of another condition causing the body’s immune system to respond negatively. The skin can become inflamed and turn red when the immune system starts attacking itself, which can be the case with certain autoimmune conditions.
Aside from changing your facial appearance, a malar rash is not usually responsible for causing any other issues. Instead, it often indicates other health conditions that may be present.
What an Autoimmune Disease Rash Means
Symptoms of a malar rash include discoloration (change in the natural skin tone) or redness around the nose and cheeks.Importantly, a malar rash does not appear on the region of skin around the lips and next to the nose, known as the nasolabial fold. Additional symptoms that can be associated with some disorders linked to malar rash are:
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A malar rash is a type of skin eruption that can occur with many conditions, including autoimmune conditions. One of the autoimmune conditions associated with a malar rash is the conditionsystemic lupus erythematosus—or lupus for short.
While a malar rash is associated with lupus, there are many potential causes of malar rash. Some of the other common conditions that can cause a malar rash include:
It is important to note that having a malar rash does not mean that you have these conditions. Rather, a malar rash is just one of the many different elements that these conditions may cause. As a result, if you believe you have a malar rash, you should always have a medical professional evaluate you. Additional testing and blood work is always needed to diagnose an autoimmune condition.
Malar rash can sometimes be confused with conditions like rosacea or even sunburn. Working with a medical professional to evaluate malar rash and determine the cause is critical before starting any medications, particularly medications that may suppress your immune system.
While malar rash can be commonly associated with lupus, it is not always the case. Some people with lupus never experience a malar rash and instead develop other more spot-like rashes, known as discoid lupus.In some cases, the rash may only appear when exposed to the sun, known as photosensitivity.
Only around 10% of people with lupus will develop cutaneous lupus—lupus that affects the skin.
The treatment for malar rash is dependent on the underlying diagnosis.
Different treatments are required for each cause of malar rash, though most will target the immune system. Immunosuppressant drugs that turn down the activity of the immune system can help reduce the inflammation of malar rash. If you have an autoimmune condition such as lupus,treatmentwill often require care from a specialist such as a rheumatologist who has expertise in managing autoimmune conditions.
Some of the common immunosuppressive treatments for lupus include:
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Malar rash itself should prompt medical evaluation and treatment, but a malar rash alone is rarely life-threatening.
Summary
A malar rash is a red eruption on the skin of the face. It is most often associated with autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or cutaneous lupus syndromes. The diagnosis and treatment of a malar rash are contingent on the underlying cause and can involve medications such as corticosteroids.
A Word From Verywell
A malar rash, or butterfly rash, on the face, can be an alarming finding. However, it is best to work with a healthcare provider to evaluate potential causes. A malar rash can appear similar to common issues like sunburn or rosacea. In some cases, a malar rash is an indicator of lupus.
A malar rash on its own is not usually life-threatening. However, different causes of malar rash can be serious and as a result, consulting your healthcare provider is critical.
A malar rash can be challenging to diagnose accurately as it can appear similar to many other common facial rashes, such as rosacea. A healthcare provider can accurately evaluate your rash and perform diagnostic tests to determine if it is a malar rash.
9 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.Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.Lupus signs, symptoms, and co-occurring conditions.American College of Rheumatology.Lupus.Cleveland Clinic.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children.Johns Hopkins.Lupus blood tests.Haber JS, Merola JF, Werth VP.Classifying discoid lupus erythematosus: background, gaps, and difficulties.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2016;2(1):8-12. doi:10.10162Fj.ijwd.2016.01.001Lupus.org.Lupus facts and statistics.Harvard Health.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:10.10972FBOR.0000000000000308Batra J, Kaur S, Kaushal S, Singh A.Lamotrigine-induced systemic lupus erythematosus: a diagnostic dilemma.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2018;9(6):445-447.
9 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.Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.Lupus signs, symptoms, and co-occurring conditions.American College of Rheumatology.Lupus.Cleveland Clinic.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children.Johns Hopkins.Lupus blood tests.Haber JS, Merola JF, Werth VP.Classifying discoid lupus erythematosus: background, gaps, and difficulties.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2016;2(1):8-12. doi:10.10162Fj.ijwd.2016.01.001Lupus.org.Lupus facts and statistics.Harvard Health.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:10.10972FBOR.0000000000000308Batra J, Kaur S, Kaushal S, Singh A.Lamotrigine-induced systemic lupus erythematosus: a diagnostic dilemma.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2018;9(6):445-447.
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.
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.Lupus signs, symptoms, and co-occurring conditions.American College of Rheumatology.Lupus.Cleveland Clinic.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children.Johns Hopkins.Lupus blood tests.Haber JS, Merola JF, Werth VP.Classifying discoid lupus erythematosus: background, gaps, and difficulties.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2016;2(1):8-12. doi:10.10162Fj.ijwd.2016.01.001Lupus.org.Lupus facts and statistics.Harvard Health.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:10.10972FBOR.0000000000000308Batra J, Kaur S, Kaushal S, Singh A.Lamotrigine-induced systemic lupus erythematosus: a diagnostic dilemma.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2018;9(6):445-447.
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.Lupus signs, symptoms, and co-occurring conditions.
American College of Rheumatology.Lupus.
Cleveland Clinic.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children.
Johns Hopkins.Lupus blood tests.
Haber JS, Merola JF, Werth VP.Classifying discoid lupus erythematosus: background, gaps, and difficulties.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2016;2(1):8-12. doi:10.10162Fj.ijwd.2016.01.001
Lupus.org.Lupus facts and statistics.
Harvard Health.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:10.10972FBOR.0000000000000308
Batra J, Kaur S, Kaushal S, Singh A.Lamotrigine-induced systemic lupus erythematosus: a diagnostic dilemma.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2018;9(6):445-447.
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