A patient discusses her symptoms with doctor
The symptoms of lupus are frequently intermittent, with exacerbations of disease interspersed amongst periods of relative remission.

Skin Rashes

Photo Credit: Piotr Marcinski / iStockPhoto.com

4. Skin Rashes

The lupus butterfly rash is characteristic, occurring in approximately 50 percent of lupus sufferers. It involves a slightly raised, red and sometimes scaly rash on the face, covering the cheeks and the nose (creating the butterfly shape), but sometimes involves the ears, chin, neck, upper back and outer arms.

Other skin lesions can also occur, such as large blisters, ulcers, and circular rashes with a red rim and light center. Small painful ulcers can also occur in the mouth or the nose. Most lupus rashes are triggered or exacerbated by sunlight. Worsening of the rash often accompanies a flare-up of the disease internally.

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