Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a type of lupus that involves the skin but may be a precursor to the systemic form of the disease. There are three types of cutaneous lupus erythematosus: acute lupus erythematosus; subacute lupus erythematosus, and chronic lupus erythematosus (often called discoid lupus).

The subacute type of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus causes dry, symmetrical, ring-shaped, superficial lesions that can occur all over the body but most often occur on the upper back and chest. The rash does not cause scars and significant systemic disease manifestations are uncommon.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a subset of lupus erythematosus intermediate, between discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus. Subacute cutaneous lupus comprises up to 10 percent of SLE cases. Subacute cutaneous lupus affects women more often than men and subacute cutaneous lupus appears to affect primarily white women.

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Subacute cutaneous lupus is usually diagnosed through a combination of signs and symptoms. With subacute cutaneous lupus there really is no one symptom or sign that is absolutely diagnostic. When diagnosing subacute cutaneous lupus, the health care provider will look at the blood work, rash appearance, the character of the rash, systemic symptoms, as well as other symptoms of subacute cutaneous lupus.

Subacute cutaneous lupus is characterized by the presence of persistent macular or slightly raised erythematosus lesions on the upper trunk and arms. Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is defined by a non-scarring rash that can coexist with both discoid and systemic lupus. About 85 percent of people affected by subacute cutaneous lupus are extremely photosensitive. Cutaneous vasculitis is a common occurrence with subacute cutaneous lupus. Approximately 70 percent of people affected by subacute cutaneous lupus have a positive test for anti-Ro (SSA). Between 60 and 80 percent of people with subacute cutaneous lupus have positive ANAs, but only about 50 percent of the positive ANAs are of a significant titer. Subacute cutaneous lupus is treated using anti-malarial drugs, steroids, cytotoxic drugs and cortisone creams.

Help Your Body Heal Itself

Sometimes these milder forms of lupus can develop into the more serious systemic form of the disease, so if you have one of the forms of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, it is important to eat a healthy diet, take vitamins, do not drink or smoke, stay out of the sun as much as possible and see your dermatologist regularly. In addition, getting treatment for lupus erythematosus promptly may help to prevent scars and hair loss from the lesions of SLE.
 

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