Lupus and the skin

Lupus skin problems are not contagious — you can’t catch them or give them to someone else.

Lupus and your skin: Signs and symptoms

There are different types of lupus, and each can affect the skin differently. You may see a rash, sores, swelling, or other changes. These changes often appear on skin that gets sun like the:

When lupus affects the skin, signs can also develop on skin that gets little, if any, sun like the:

Some people develop lupus sores inside their mouth, nose, or vagina.

Lupus can also affect your hair and nails

Hair loss, thinning hair, and nail changes are common in people who have different types of lupus.

The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair.

The last 20 years have seen the cost of medical care increase about 70% faster than the rate of general inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Healthcare inflation dropped to a historical low after 2010 but is again on the rise as of 2018, according to Bloomberg.

Other types of hair loss also develop. People lose hair on their scalp, legs, eyebrows, eyelashes, or elsewhere. The hair loss may be patchy or widespread. With proper treatment for lupus, this lost hair often grows back.

If you have discoid lupus, hair loss can be permanent. Discoid lupus causes raised, scaly patches. As these patches clear, scars can form. When scars develop on the scalp, hair cannot grow where there are scars. Prompt treatment of discoid lupus on the scalp can prevent scarring.

When lupus affects the nails, it can cause:

Nails to crack or fall off
Discolored nails
Swelling around the nails

If you have discoid lupus and a darker skin tone, you may develop dark, blue-black nails.

What does lupus rash look like?

The following pictures show some of the many different rashes, sores, and other signs of lupus that can develop on the skin.

You’ll also see ways that lupus can affect the hair and nails.

Swollen eyelid(s) and swelling around one or both eyes

When lupus affects the skin, swelling can be one of the first signs of lupus. When this patient saw a dermatologist, the doctor immediately began testing for lupus. Treatment for lupus cleared her swelling and redness.

Butterfly rash (aka malar rash)

Occurring only in people who have lupus, this rash spreads out across the nose and cheeks, often in the shape of a butterfly. This itchy rash often appears after someone with SLE or acute cutaneous lupus spends time in the sun.

Thick, scaly patch of skin (discoid lupus)

People who have discoid lupus develop these patches. Most patches appear on the face, scalp, or ears, but patches can develop elsewhere on the skin. Without prompt treatment, these patches tend to stay on the skin for a long time — sometimes for years.

Dark spots, light spots, and scars (discoid lupus)

If you have a darker skin tone, the long-standing patches of discoid lupus will eventually clear and can leave behind dark spots (A), light spots, or permanent scars (B). Prompt treatment of the thick, scaly patches can prevent spots and permanent scarring.

Mouth sores (discoid lupus)

Discoid lupus can cause sores inside the mouth. People who have lupus can also develop sores inside their nose, eyes, or vagina. These sores can feel uncomfortable.

Scaly rash on sun-exposed skin (subacute cutaneous lupus)

Effective sun-protection helps to prevent this rash, which usually develops on the upper back, upper chest, or arms. It can be mistaken for psoriasis or eczema. The rash heals without causing scars, but it can leave areas of lighter skin.

Rash with a ring-like pattern (subacute cutaneous lupus)

Instead of developing a rash that looks like eczema or psoriasis, some people with this type of cutaneous lupus get a ring-like rash from the sun. A small percentage of people will develop both this ring-like rash and the one that looks like eczema or psoriasis.

Light-sensitive skin

Lupus can make your skin extremely sensitive to sunlight and other types of light. This patient developed a lupus rash after spending time under fluorescent lighting.

Hair loss (discoid lupus)

Many types of lupus can cause hair loss. With treatment for lupus, the hair often regrows. If you have discoid lupus, hair loss can be permanent because scarring develops. Treating a scaly patch of discoid lupus on the scalp before it scars (A) can prevent permanent hair loss (B).

Nail changes

These are most common in people who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some people develop a nail infection, which can cause splitting or crumbling nails and discoloration (A), or swollen skin and discoloration around the nails (B). Sometimes, visible blood vessels appear around the nails.

The different types of lupus can also cause the following changes to your skin:

Dry, chapped lips
Blister-like rash
Lacy pattern on the skin called livedo reticularis
Depressions in the skin
Itchy hives
Palms that turn red
Hard lumps under the skin
Poor blood flow in the fingers and toes when exposed to cold (Raynaud’s phenomenon)

What does lupus feel like when it affects the skin?

Sometimes, a rash or other sign of lupus causes a symptom like itch or pain. If you have symptoms, tell your dermatologist. Treatment can help get rid of these symptoms until your skin clears.

Learning more about lupus can also be helpful. Some people say it helps them feel more in control. To learn why someone may get any type of lupus, go to: Lupus and your skin: Causes.

Images

Image 1: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;62:667-71.

Images 2-5 and 8-11: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Images 6,7: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2020;83:343-63.

Images 12,13: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2016;75:1081-99.

Images 14-15: Used with permission of DermNet NZ.

References
Lee LA, Werth VP. “Lupus erythematosus.” In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. (4th edition). Elsevier, China, 2018: 662-80.

Morales-Burgos A, Sánchez JL, et al. “Periorbital mucinosis: a variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus?” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(4):667-71.

Navarro-Triviño FJ, Ruiz-Villaverde R. “Chronic discoid lupus: An uncommon cause of nail atrophy.” Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2018;18(3):e411-e412. Nozile W, Adgerson CN, et al. “Cutaneous lupus erythematosus in skin of color.” J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(4):343-9.

Okon LG, Werth VP. “Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and treatment.” Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2013 Jun;27(3):391-404.

Written by:
Paula Ludmann, MS

Reviewed by:
Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD
Mario J. Sequeira, MD, FAAD

Last updated: 9/23/22

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Lupus and the skin

Lupus affects different people in different ways. Most people with lupus have skin problems, like rashes or sores. Sometimes lupus affects only the skin, and sometimes it affects other parts of the body, too.

How does lupus affect the skin?

People with lupus can have many different skin problems.

Cutaneous lupus

Skin problems that only happen to people who have lupus are called cutaneous lupus. There are 3 main types:

Chronic cutaneous lupus (also called discoid lupus) causes round, disc-shaped sores, usually on the face and scalp. The sores can cause scars or changes in skin color.
Subacute cutaneous lupus causes a red scaly rash or red ring-shaped sores. It usually happens on skin that gets sunlight, like the neck and arms.
Acute cutaneous lupus causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose that looks like a sunburn (called malar rash). Sometimes it affects other body parts, like the arms and legs.

What do lupus skin problems feel like?

Sometimes these skin problems feel itchy or painful, and sometimes they don’t. The symptoms can come and go, and they can feel different from person to person. If you have pain or other symptoms from lupus, talk with your doctor about treatment options.

Lupus skin problems are not contagious — you can’t catch them or give them to someone else.

Take steps to protect your skin

While many skin problems need medical treatment, making lifestyle changes can help prevent or ease some symptoms.

Protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) light

Most people with lupus are sensitive to UV light — and it can trigger lupus skin problems. Follow these tips to protect yourself:

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 60 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Use a wax-based lip balm with SPF 15 or higher to protect your lips. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and apply throughout the day.
Wear long sleeves, pants, and wide-brimmed hats made of fabrics that protect you from the sun
Plan outdoor activities for early in the morning or later in the evening. It’s also important to remember that cloud cover or shade doesn’t fully protect you from UVA rays.

You may be sensitive to indoor lighting, too. If indoor light bothers you, try putting light shields over fluorescent bulbs. You can also buy light bulbs that send out low amounts of UV radiation, like LED lights. If the sunlight bothers you while indoors, it’s possible to get UV-blocking shades for your windows to prevent sunlight from entering the room.

Protect your skin from cold temperatures

If you have Raynaud’s disease, protecting your skin from the cold can help. Try wearing warm gloves and thick socks when you’re outdoors in cold weather. If you’re going from the heat to an air-conditioned building, be sure to carry extra clothing to help prevent flares.

Find the right treatment plan

Because lupus can cause a lot of different skin problems, there are many different kinds of medicine that can treat them. A specialist doctor called a dermatologist can help you find a treatment plan that works for you.

Print our Lupus and the Skin fact sheet

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Lupus and the skin

Lupus and your skin: Signs and symptoms