What Is Acute Cutaneous Lupus?
Updated January 29, 2013.
People with lupus know the disease can affect various parts of their body, both inside and out, in a variety of ways. But one of the clearest signs that a person has developed the disease is the way it affects the skin (cutaneous disease).
There are, generally speaking, three types of lupus skin disease: chronic cutaneous (discoid lupus), subacute cutaneous, and acute cutaneous. Some people with discoid lupus may never develop the systemic version of the disease (systemic lupus erythematosus).
And those with subacute cutaneous lupus may develop arthritis, for example, while those with acute cutaneous lupus typically are people with active SLE.
Lesions associated with acute cutaneous lupus appear as flattened areas of red skin on the face, reminiscent of a sunburn – the tell-tale butterfly rash. These lesions can appear on the arms, legs, and body, and are photosensitivw. Though they may discolor the skin, they do not scar. Those with active SLE – those having a flare – often display these lesions.
Lesions typically appear during a flare or after sun exposure. People with acute cutaneous lupus should be aware of the dangers of prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sunscreens with SPFs above 30 that protect against both UVA and UVB rays should be applied every two hours. Consider appropriate clothing that can protect against the sun, as well.
Of note, acute cutaneous lupus has a high prevalence of conjunctive periodontal lesions, or lesions that are found on the gums, and mouth lesions are present in 45 percent of people with acute cutaneous lupus.
Acute cutaneous lupus is often treated with drugs such as prednisone, or in combination with other immunosuppressants.
Sources:
Lupus and the Skin. American Academy of Dermatology. December 2006.
Symptoms The Lupus Foundation of America. June 2007.
Aggressive Periodontitis and Chronic Cutaneous Lupus. Lupus Foundation of America. A Case Study, By Christina Tietmann, D.M.D., Aachen, Germany, and Nabil F. Bissada, D.D.S., M.S.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH. November 2008.
People with lupus know the disease can affect various parts of their body, both inside and out, in a variety of ways. But one of the clearest signs that a person has developed the disease is the way it affects the skin (cutaneous disease).
There are, generally speaking, three types of lupus skin disease: chronic cutaneous (discoid lupus), subacute cutaneous, and acute cutaneous. Some people with discoid lupus may never develop the systemic version of the disease (systemic lupus erythematosus).
And those with subacute cutaneous lupus may develop arthritis, for example, while those with acute cutaneous lupus typically are people with active SLE.
Lesions associated with acute cutaneous lupus appear as flattened areas of red skin on the face, reminiscent of a sunburn – the tell-tale butterfly rash. These lesions can appear on the arms, legs, and body, and are photosensitivw. Though they may discolor the skin, they do not scar. Those with active SLE – those having a flare – often display these lesions.
Lesions typically appear during a flare or after sun exposure. People with acute cutaneous lupus should be aware of the dangers of prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sunscreens with SPFs above 30 that protect against both UVA and UVB rays should be applied every two hours. Consider appropriate clothing that can protect against the sun, as well.
Of note, acute cutaneous lupus has a high prevalence of conjunctive periodontal lesions, or lesions that are found on the gums, and mouth lesions are present in 45 percent of people with acute cutaneous lupus.
Acute cutaneous lupus is often treated with drugs such as prednisone, or in combination with other immunosuppressants.
Sources:
Lupus and the Skin. American Academy of Dermatology. December 2006.
Symptoms The Lupus Foundation of America. June 2007.
Aggressive Periodontitis and Chronic Cutaneous Lupus. Lupus Foundation of America. A Case Study, By Christina Tietmann, D.M.D., Aachen, Germany, and Nabil F. Bissada, D.D.S., M.S.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics, Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH. November 2008.