Dr Lalitha Badul

Lupus Erythematosus is the name given to a group of several diseases that manifest as a result of a malfunctioning of the body’s immune system in which it attacks healthy tissue, vital organs and systems of the body.

Lupus is often misdiagnosed because symptoms are often very similar to other common diseases and disorders of the body and skin. Cutaneous Lupus is the name given specifically to Lupus Erythematosus of the skin.

It can affect anyone from young to old, both male and female, but it is more common in women between the ages of 25 to 50.

Causes include drug use, exposure to the sun, smoking and genetic predisposition. There are many different types of Cutaneous Lupus too numerous to mention here but symptoms include rashes, red scaly patches, thickened lesions, blistering or ulcers that may develop anywhere on the body.

Severe cases can be extremely unsightly and can cause scarring and disfigurement.