Tabagisme et peau
What are the types of lupus erythematosus ?
- There are three types:
- Systemic (or acute) lupus erythematosus: important involvement of the internal organs with or without skin manifestations.
- Subacute lupus erythematosus: moderate internal involvement with cutaneous manifestations.
- Discoid (or chronic) lupus erythematosus: skin involvement only.
How does lupus erythematosus appear on the skin?
- Generally speaking, people with lupus are very sensitive to sunlight (photosensibility).
- Systemic lupus erythematosus is caracterised by a “butterfly” eruption (rash) on the face:
- The rash on the cheeks are the “wings” of the butterfly.
- The rash on the nose is the “body” of the butterfly.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:
- Patients with subacute lupus erythematosus can develop a skin rash:
- Which can be scaly (as in psoriasis) or simply appear as redness on otherwise smooth skin.
- Which is localized on sun-exposed areas, more likely so on the face and back of the forearms.
- In discoid (chronic) lupus erythematous (but also in the other types) patients can develop:
- dark elevated lesions which feel rough when touched.
- even rougher lesions at the orifices of the hair follicles.
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Does lupus erythematosus only affect the skin?
- In all types, mouth ulcers can appear.
- The kidneys, joints, wrapping membranes of the heart (pericardium) and lungs (pleura), brain, cells in the blood can all be involved in systemic lupus erythematosus, even if the skin isn’t.
I am sunburnt. Do I have lupus erythematosus?
- Being sunburnt with a redness on the face which looks like a butterfly rash does not necessarily mean that you have lupus erythematosus or that you may be at increased risk of having it one day.
- If in doubt, consult a dermatologist.
Contributors:
Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland
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