[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/treating-a-lupus-rash\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/treating-a-lupus-rash\/","headline":"How to Identify and Treat a Lupus Rash","name":"How to Identify and Treat a Lupus Rash","description":"A rash affects 66 percent of people with lupus. Treating a lupus rash can be different from treating other types of rashes. Find out how to treat it, here.","datePublished":"2019-06-26","dateModified":"2023-06-14","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lupus_blg.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lupus_blg.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/treating-a-lupus-rash\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Skin Care"],"wordCount":478,"keywords":["Lupus","skin irritation","skin rash","treatment of lupus"],"articleBody":"If you have a rash that appeared suddenly or recurs intermittently, you may be unsure of its cause. Rashes are associated with everything from\u202fscabies\u202fto\u202fallergic reactions\u202fto lupus. A lupus rash, like all types of rashes, needs specialized treatment.\u00a0What Is Lupus?\u00a0Before discussing lupus rashes, it\u2019s helpful to know more about\u202flupus. This chronic inflammatory disease sometimes affects only the skin, but it also can affect other organs and systems, including the joints, brain, heart, blood, and kidneys.\u00a0Antibodies that normally protect the body against organisms like bacteria instead attack healthy tissues. With lupus, the body experiences flares, which are periods of illness followed by periods of inactivity, known as remission. These flares can affect lupus rashes as well.\u00a0Lupus Rash Symptoms\u00a0A rash, generally categorized as an irregularity in the skin\u2019s color, appearance, or texture, also may be itchy. There are three types of lupus rashes:\u00a0Butterfly Rash \u2013 typically occurring on the nose and cheeks, this rash resembles a butterfly and can be brought about by medication, exposure to sunlight, or infection.\u00a0Discoid Rash \u2013 this rash is often raised and scaly and might even leave scars.\u00a0Sun Rash \u2013 also called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus rash, which appears on sun-exposed skin and can form ring-like lesions and may resemble psoriasis.\u00a0Keep in mind that any lupus rash can worsen with sun exposure.\u00a0Treating a Lupus Rash\u00a0The\u202fLupus Foundation of America\u202fsays that 66 percent of those with lupus will develop some form of skin disease. The treatment of choice depends on the type of lupus and the person\u2019s symptoms.\u00a0\u00a0Medicines for treating a lupus rash\u00a0Treatment for a lupus rash may include using topical medicine, such as a steroid gel or cream. Antimalarials, which are typically used to treat malaria, may also be used to treat lupus. These medicines include:\u00a0\u00a0Hydroxychloroquine or Quinacrine\u00a0Methotrexate\u00a0\u00a0Mycophenolate mofetil\u00a0Prednisone\u00a0Azathioprine\u00a0Preventing Lupus Rashes\u00a0Staying in the shade, using a sunscreen, and avoiding ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to protect your skin also can help prevent a lupus rash. The Lupus Foundation of America notes that 40 percent to 70 percent of those with lupus find that UV exposure makes their skin worse.\u00a0The skin rash and other lupus symptoms are sometimes caused by medicine, so it\u2019s a good idea to tell your doctor about any medicines you\u2019re currently taking. Your doctor also can recommend skin care products to help you avoid skin involvement from lupus.\u00a0Early diagnosis and treatment of lupus won\u2019t cure the disease, but it will help you manage the symptoms and decrease the chance of permanent tissue damage.\u00a0Lupus is best treated by a specialist. If you\u2019ve been diagnosed with lupus, consider scheduling an appointment at the\u202fUPMC Lupus Center of Excellence, at\u202f412-586-3550.\u00a0Editor's Note: This article was originally published on June 26, 2019, and was last reviewed on June 14, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2019","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"06","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/\/06\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Identify and Treat a Lupus Rash","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2019\/06\/treating-a-lupus-rash\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]