Self-Reported Effects of Cutaneous Lupus on Quality of Life

From our research e-newsletter

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can worsen symptoms of cutaneous lupus (CLE) and people with lupus may experience “photosensitivity.” The researchers interviewed CLE patients about their photosensitivity to help determine its effects on quality of life. Based on patient responses about their history of photosensitivity, patients were classified into one of three groups for purposes of comparison. Over half of all CLE patients included in the study reported experiencing photosensitivity, which had varying effects on quality of life. The results indicate that clinical interview questions can identify CLE patients with photosensitivity. Compliance with recommendations to avoid UV light exposure continues to be warranted in CLE patients.


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Lupus and the Skin

Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some type of skin disease. Skin disease in lupus can cause rashes or sores (lesions), most of which will appear on sun-exposed areas, such as your face, ears, neck, arms, and legs.

Lupus skin disease, called cutaneous lupus erythematosus, can occur in one of three forms: chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus erythematosus, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

• Cutaneous lupus: appears as disk-shaped, round lesions.
• Subacute cutaneous lesions may appear as areas of red scaly skin with distinct edges, or as red, ring-shaped lesions. The lesions occur most commonly on the sun-exposed areas of your arms, shoulders, neck, and body.
• Acute cutaneous lupus lesions occur when your systemic lupus is active. The most typical form of acute cutaneous lupus is a malar rash.

Lupus skin rashes and lesions should be treated by a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in caring for the skin. To determine whether a lesion or rash is due to cutaneous lupus, your physician will usually want to look at the tissue under a microscope. The medication used to treat lupus-related skin conditions depends on what kind of cutaneous lupus you have. The most common treatments are ointments, such as steroid cream or gel.

Learn more about skin and lupus on the LFA website.

More resources:

15 Questions with Dr. Victoria Werth - The Mysterious Aspects of Skin Lupus
"Your Skin & Lupus" Chat Transcript for Dr. Andrew Franks
Research Summaries about Cutaneous Lupus
From Lupus Now Magazine - COLOR MATTERS: People of color may suffer more from lupus skin lesions

Learn More about Your Skin and Lupus

Lupus skin disease, called cutaneous lupus erythematosus, can occur in one of three forms:

• chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus erythematosus
• subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and
• acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Skin disease in lupus can cause rashes or sores (lesions), most of which will appear on sun-exposed areas, such as your face, ears, neck, arms, and legs.

Did you know that approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some type of skin disease?

Read more about how lupus can affect your skin.

How Lupus Can Affect Your Skin

Summer is here, and with summer comes vacations and lots of exposure to the sun. For many people who are living with lupus, this means you have to prepare yourself for the light -- both sun and artificial -- that you’ll face during the day. Every day.

To help make sure you’re as protected as possible when you venture outside … for a game of miniature golf while you’re on vacation, or while you’re working inside beneath fluorescent lights, the LFA has created a special section of content for you.

Some of the items you'll find on this landing page include:

• Info on LFA's July 15 webchat on "Lupus and Your Skin"
• Detailed content on lupus and your skin
• Lupus Now articles pertaining to lupus and your skin
• Ask the Experts: Lupus and Your Skin
• How to Find a Dermatologist

Prepare yourself for the light.