title: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
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.
authors: Department of Medicine, Rutland Regional Medical Center, VT, USA. dpmccauliffe@juno.com
authors: D P
authors: DP
authors: McCauliffe
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002991:Clofazimine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017612:Gold Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000962:Antimalarials; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D017612:Gold Compounds; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D002991:Clofazimine