Abstract
Lupus erythematosus (LE) has many different clinical manifestations including a variety of cutaneous findings. Some of the cutaneous manifestations are not specific for LE, such as photosensitivity reactions, oral ulcers, alopecia, urticaria, vasculitis, vesiculo-bullous lesions, acral changes, cutaneous mucinoses, and cutaneous calcinosis. Other findings are specific for LE in that they are found only in patients who have lupus erythematosus. These LE-specific disorders include acute cutaneous LE, subacute cutaneous LE, and several forms of chronic cutaneous LE, including discoid LE. Skin biopsies are often helpful in differentiating LE-specific skin lesions from other disorders that can mimic them. Photoprotective measures and a number of drugs are useful in treating cutaneous LE.
MeSH terms
-
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
-
Antimalarials / therapeutic use
-
Biopsy
-
Clofazimine / therapeutic use
-
Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
-
Diagnosis, Differential
-
Gold Compounds / therapeutic use
-
Humans
-
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
-
Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / classification
-
Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / complications
-
Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / diagnosis
-
Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous* / therapy
-
Retinoids / therapeutic use
-
Skin / pathology*
-
Skin Diseases / diagnosis
-
Sunscreening Agents / therapeutic use
-
Thalidomide / therapeutic use
Substances
-
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
-
Antimalarials
-
Dermatologic Agents
-
Gold Compounds
-
Immunosuppressive Agents
-
Retinoids
-
Sunscreening Agents
-
Thalidomide
-
Clofazimine