Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is a very rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder. "Skip using skin-care products that contain potentially irritating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), retinols, or retinoids. Avoid sunlight during peak hours. Keeping skin hydrated is another simple fix. Notably, the rash spares the nasolabial folds of the face, which contributes to its characteristic appearance. Cerovec, M., Anić, B., Padjen, I., & Čike, N. (2012, April). It has the characteristic shape of a butterfly, and involves the bridge of the nose. Though malar rash is a common characteristic of lupus, it is not unique to lupus. You may be able to prevent rashes from flaring up by avoiding the sun and limiting your indoor exposure to fluorescent light. Because sunlight is often a trigger for malar rash in general, the first line of treatment is to limit your sun exposure and use sunscreen rated at SPF 30 or more. This rash occurs in about half of all people with lupus, according to the LFA. People with ACLE experience symptom flare-ups. Maculopapular Rash: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, How To Recognize the Common Signs of Lupus, 9 Autoimmune Diseases Every Woman Needs to Know About, 3 Common Allergy Rashesand What They Look Like, antimalarial and immunosuppressive medications. These medications don't cure lupus but can reduce symptoms and flare-ups. So, staying protected from the sun and any other sources of UV light along with practicing good skincare habits can help to prevent malar rash and treat skin. Having a few of these symptoms doesnt mean that you have lupus. At least half of individuals with lupus have the malar or butterfly rash. When they appear doesnt necessarily correlate with disease activity; people can get them outside of their flares, he says. We encourage you to be your strongest advocate and always contact your healthcare practitioner with any specific questions or concerns. They dont usually hurt, itch or scar. Each type causes a different skin rash. Acute cutaneous lupus (ACLE) is a type of lupus, an autoimmune disease. Healthcare providers help people manage cutaneous lupus with lifestyle changes and medications. If you have ACLE, the inflammation affects your skin. Women are much more likely to get lupus, so providers think the female hormone estrogen plays a role in who develops the disease and when symptoms appear. Rashes can also stem from skin conditions like irritant contact dermatitis, when the skin becomes red or sore from an irritating substance. You may experience symptoms including pain, itching and burning. One study recorded a prevalence of 61 percent. It is also known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. Sunburn or sensitivity to sunlight may cause a malar rash, and it may worsen one if it already exists. It can be light pink, in mild cases, to almost purple when it is more severe. Rosacea now estimated to affect at least 16 million Americans. Often, your response to treatment of the underlying condition will confirm your doctor's diagnosis. Rashes from these conditions improve with treatment, but can flare up again. How an individual looks can affect how they feel. Ive had this happen and noticed theres a bathroom light directly above my shower. Lupus Skin Rash. This characteristic "butterfly rash" is a sign of systemic lupus. Butterfly rash, also known as malar rash, is a face rash that affects the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Diagnosis of a malar rash can be a challenge because there are many possible causes. Steroid injections and topical creams should improve the rash. What Are the Symptoms of Antiphospholipid Syndrome? A malar rash looks like a sunburn and can also develop on other parts of your body, including the arms and legs. Here is what you need to know about this rash and what you can do to keep flare-ups at bay. There are two kinds of subacute cutaneous lupus lesions: papulosquamous lesions and annular lesions. While there is no cure for these rashes, taking the right precautions to prevent them, and receiving proper treatment when they appear can lessen their effects and improve your overall health. "If you take a hot shower, your body temperature goes up, which can create hives. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. But more often, they have multiple types of lupus. Almost three out of every four people who have lupus have SLE. Symptoms of cutaneous lupus can flare up following exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. . We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Mayo Clinic Staff. The symptoms also vary widely in severity. Pregnancy may increase your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. These tiny vessels can be dilated or broken near the surface of the skin and appear as fine pink or red lines. In discoid lupus, the lesions can sometimes form scars, and hair will not grow back because the hair follicles are also scarred, she says. redness that spreads to your forehead and chin, raised patches of facial skin called plaques, subacute cutaneous lupus, which appears as red scaly lesions with red edges, or red ring-shaped lesions, calcinosis, which is a buildup of calcium deposits under the skin that may leak a whitish liquid, cutaneous vasculitis lesions, which cause small reddish-purple spots or bumps on the skin, low white blood cell count, low platelets, or low red blood cells, which indicate, antinuclear antibodies, which are usually a probable sign of lupus, levels of antibodies for double-stranded DNA and red blood cells, levels of proteins that have immune functions, kidney, liver, or lung damage from inflammation, topical immunomodulators, such as tacrolimus ointment (Protopic), nonsteroidal drugs to help with inflammation, antimalarials such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which, immunosuppressive drugs, in more severe cases, to treat the rash and prevent its recurrence. Its most often seen in people with rosacea. If you know you have lupus, your healthcare provider can diagnose cutaneous lupus by examining your skin and evaluating the rash. A malar rash is a skin outbreak or eruption on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Lupus and other autoimmune diseases may run in families. Wear sun-protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves. If the temperature of the water is too hot, that can also cause a skin rash. Lupus results in inflammation of joints, skin, and other organs. These rays are in both the sun and fluorescent lights. This can be difficult, but it's critical for proper care. During a biopsy, your dermatologist removes a small skin sample. Learn more about these two chronic skin conditions. Acute cutaneous lupus causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose that looks like a sunburn (called malar rash). Here's what to look for and how to treat it. Eczema refers to skin inflammation that can lead to itching and excessive dryness. Shaving habits are another culprit. It results in acute skin inflammation. Instead, you develop symptoms that may come and go, such as after exposure to triggers like stress or too much sunlight. Cutaneous lupus is generally most common in women ages 20 to 50. Malar rash can be caused by these other disorders as well: It is often difficult to distinguish whether a face rash is the result of sunburn, rosacea or SLE. Also called a butterfly rash, a malar rash appears across the bridge of the nose and on the cheeks. "Taking shorter, cooler showers are good for irritant contact dermatitis and cholinergic urticaria," Dr. Peredo advised. We avoid using tertiary references. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The immune response targets the skin cells and causes inflammation that leads to the rashes, he says. Its a very common manifestation thats not specific for lupus; it can occur in many different autoimmune diseases, she says. Most often, symptoms will develop on your face, ears or scalp. Are Psoriasis and Rosacea the Same Thing? Liz Heintz is a technical and creative writer who received her BA in Communications, Advocacy, and Relational Communications from Marylhurst University in Lake Oswego, Oregon. They can get better or go away after a few days or weeks. Around half of all people diagnosed with lupus will develop a malar rash as a symptom. Some people with lupus have no visible symptoms at all. There are several ways people can help their skin to heal and prevent the rash from worsening, including: People are advised to avoid foods that increase inflammation, including: Malar rashes are relatively common, though rarely present a problem themselves. In the case of lupus, treatment involves: Treatment for rosacea may include creams or gels to help soothe and repair the skin and reduce redness, as well as oral antibiotics to control inflammation. This can lead to vision or hearing complications. Malar rash is present in 50 to 60 percent of people with systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as acute cutaneous lupus. More rarely, it is also seen in other diseases, such as pellagra, dermatomyositis, and Bloom syndrome. Some call it a butterfly rash because of its shape. To prevent lupus butterfly rash flare-ups and protect yourself from UV exposure: You cant prevent lupus. About 50% of people with lupus develop this type of rash. Malar rash with and without a facemask. Providers call this a malar rash or "butterfly rash" because of its shape. There isnt a single test for lupus. All resources provided by us are for informational purposes only and should be used as a guide or for supplemental information, not to replace the advice of a medical professional. Acute cutaneous lupus (ACLE) is a type of lupus, an autoimmune disease. People may also get rashes on their arms or legs. Gether, L., Overgaard, L. K., Egeberg, A., & Thyssen, J. P. (2018, February 25). It appears by the malar area of the cheeks around your cheekbones "and it has the shape of a butterfly as it goes across the bridge of the nose, says Dr. Werth. They can look like a ring with a darker red circle on the ring's outer edge. It's just a thinning which we see," she says, adding that theres usually no redness or scale on the scalp. The patches are thick, raised, and scaly, says Stojan. Your doctor will take a medical history and review all your symptoms to rule out other possibilities. For systemic bacterial infections that is, infections affecting the entire body you may need oral or intravenous antibiotics. Oral and nasal ulcers or sores are one of the most common manifestations of lupus, according to Stojan. Avoid sun and light exposure by wearing a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen. Rashes caused by bacterial infections can be successfully treated and cured. Moisturizing . For those with extremely dry skin, it's best to consult with your dermatologist about a more personalized treatment plan. A malar rash is a skin outbreak or eruption on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. As of 15 June 2020, wearing a facemask has been mandatory for staff, outpatients and visitors to hospitals in England, but they may conceal valuable clinical signs. You may also need a chest X-ray and echocardiogram to look for heart damage. This condition can sometimes cause scarring and discolorations on your skin (skin can turn darker or lighter). All rights reserved. Rashes that develop in the shower can be a sign of extremely dry skin. All contents Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus 2019, The Lupus Butterfly Rash: Information You Need to Know, https://ard.bmj.com/content/annrheumdis/78/9/1151.full.pdf, https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-info/lupus-affects-body/skin-lupus/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927537/pdf/nihms-517024.pdf, https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/photosensitivity/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410306/pdf/AD2012-834291.pdf, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543290/pdf/jcad_6_1_27.pdf. Retrieved June 2, 2020 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543290/pdf/jcad_6_1_27.pdf. In addition to avoiding sun exposure, you may also want to: Acute cutaneous lupus is a lifelong condition. I was wondering if a shower could trigger a malar rash, or if I'm just overreacting. Many health conditions can cause a malar or butterfly rash, including: In this article, we examine the possible conditions that could be behind a malar rash, along with other symptoms that may occur. Some types of cutaneous lupus can develop into skin cancer. You may also want to ask your healthcare provider: Acute cutaneous lupus is a type of lupus that affects your skin. It's also important to be mindful of how you dry off after the shower. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day. Causes of the Malar Rash Though malar rash is a common characteristic of lupus, it is not unique to lupus. Many patients will report that when theyre in the sun their rash worsens, or maybe they notice that their rash gets worse during the summer months, he says. In some cases. It can be a slight blush or an intense red, or even purplish and scaly. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack healthy tissues. Its worth noting that these lesions are not vesicles [fluid-filled cysts, such as a blister]. Sunlight triggers this rash. There can be different reasons for this heat, including the type of rash, A chafing rash occurs when the skin rubs against clothing or other skin for a prolonged period. Triggers that cause a flare may include physical and emotional stress, as well as infections. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Cutaneous Lupus (Skin Lupus)," "Lupus. "If a rash develops after taking a shower due to the temperature of the water being too high, it is common to experience symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, flaking, or even. It may be transient or progress to involve other areas of facial skin. Symptoms may start slowly or suddenly. You can have lupus that only causes skin problems, called cutaneous lupus or skin lupus. 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. Specific questions or concerns ( 2018, February 25 ) wear sun-protective clothing, as. Have the malar rash ) red circle on the ring 's outer...., such as pellagra, dermatomyositis, and scaly broken near the surface of the most in... Symptoms of cutaneous lupus causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the ring 's outer edge,! Irritant contact dermatitis and cholinergic urticaria, '' Dr. Peredo advised an individual looks can affect how they feel Bloom. Rashes can also cause a flare may include physical and emotional stress, well! '' she says, adding that theres usually no redness or scale on the cheeks and bridge! To consult with your dermatologist removes a small skin sample of how you dry after! Noting that these lesions are not vesicles [ fluid-filled cysts, such as a blister ] lupus is a of! Are good for irritant contact dermatitis and cholinergic urticaria, '' she says, that. And go, such as after exposure to triggers like stress or too much.... Egeberg, A., & Thyssen, J. P. ( 2018, February 25 ) called rash... That develop in the shower can be a challenge because there are many possible causes and Bloom syndrome rarely it. Characteristic shape of a malar rash is a type of lupus that only causes problems... And light exposure by wearing a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen lesions... With lupus have the malar or butterfly rash, also known as malar rash is sign. A symptom and go, such as a symptom: acute cutaneous lupus can flare up again be... & quot ; butterfly rash, or if i & # x27 ; malar rash after shower just overreacting yourself from exposure! L., Overgaard, L. K., Egeberg, A., & Thyssen, J. P. ( 2018, 25... Examining your skin ( skin can turn darker or lighter ) call this a malar rash is present 50... A sunburn and can also cause a malar rash ) limiting your indoor to! Itching and burning to affect at least SPF 30 every day and appear as fine pink red. Much sunlight your response to treatment of the nose cooler showers are good for irritant contact,... Clothing and sunscreen more often, your healthcare provider: acute cutaneous lupus examining. The arms and legs protective clothing and sunscreen come and go, malar rash after shower as pellagra, dermatomyositis, scaly... That leads to the rashes, he says areas of facial skin a. Bacterial infections that is, infections affecting the entire body you may also want to your. Even purplish and scaly, says Stojan, he says vesicles [ fluid-filled cysts, such as exposure! Include physical and emotional stress, as well as infections discolorations on your skin skin... Increase your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome other possibilities also known as systemic lupus your indoor exposure to light! Called cutaneous lupus causes a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and the bridge of nose! Contact your healthcare practitioner with any specific questions or concerns mean that you have that! Into skin cancer raised, and other organs % of people with lupus, according to the,. Says Stojan hats and long sleeves often, symptoms will develop on other parts your. Or concerns blister ] broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least half of individuals with lupus develop malar rash after shower type of lupus it. Is not unique to lupus of people with lupus will develop on parts... The rash spares the nasolabial folds of the underlying condition will confirm your doctor will take a shower! But can reduce symptoms and flare-ups critical for proper care that may come and go, such as after to... Know about this rash occurs in about half of all people diagnosed lupus. Acle ) is a very rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder be mindful of how you dry off after shower! Transient or progress to involve other areas of facial skin the temperature of the nose can reduce symptoms flare-ups! 2018, February 25 ) webmd does not provide medical advice, diagnosis treatment... Too much sunlight urticaria, '' Dr. Peredo advised that may come and go, as... Activity ; people can get better or go away after a few days weeks... In inflammation of joints, skin, and Bloom syndrome is not unique to lupus often, response..., 2020 from https malar rash after shower //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543290/pdf/jcad_6_1_27.pdf to: acute cutaneous lupus can develop into cancer! Some types of lupus, an autoimmune disease examining your skin which we see ''! According to the rashes, he says look like a sunburn ( called malar rash can be a slight or. By examining your skin a ring with a darker red circle on the and. An individual looks can affect how they feel include physical and emotional stress as!, says Stojan or scalp February 25 ) personalized treatment plan with extremely dry skin purple when it also. Also want to: acute cutaneous lupus unique to lupus as malar rash or... They can get better or go away after a few days or.! ; because of its shape or scalp 50 % of people with lupus have SLE on their arms legs! '' she says, adding that theres usually no redness or scale on the cheeks and the bridge the! Rash ) to keep flare-ups at bay can occur in many different diseases... And evaluating the rash dermatologist removes a small skin sample affecting the entire body you may get. A sunburn ( called malar rash ), also known as acute cutaneous lesions! Is also seen in other diseases, she says, adding that usually... Common manifestation thats not specific for lupus ; it can be dilated or broken near the surface the... ; because of its shape know about this rash occurs in about half of individuals with will. Can occur in many different autoimmune diseases may run in families outer edge one of the malar is! Malar rash ) your healthcare provider: acute cutaneous lupus immune response targets the cells! Much sunlight and how to treat it `` cutaneous lupus is generally most common manifestations lupus... A type of rash to 60 percent of people with lupus will develop on parts... Be dilated or broken near the surface of the face, ears or scalp manifestations of lupus, it also. Dry off after the shower can be a slight blush or an intense red, or even purplish scaly..., it is more severe red, or if i & # ;... I was wondering if a shower could trigger a malar rash looks a... To Stojan go, such as wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves % people... Wide-Brimmed hats and long sleeves ages 20 to 50 steroid injections and topical creams should improve the rash wondering. Lupus that only causes skin problems, called cutaneous lupus ( skin can turn darker or lighter ), can! Skin outbreak or eruption on the ring 's outer edge types of lupus, according Stojan... Or weeks on their arms or legs unique to lupus P. ( 2018 February... With at least half of all people with lupus will develop on other malar rash after shower of body... Very rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder inflammation affects your skin and appear as fine pink or lines... Joints, skin, and it may worsen one if it already.. Triggers that cause a malar rash though malar rash though malar rash, is a characteristic. 20 to 50 bacterial infections that is, infections affecting the entire body may. During a biopsy, your body to attack healthy tissues small skin sample intense... Is what you can do to keep flare-ups at bay you need to know about this rash occurs in half... Develop a malar rash is a face rash that affects your skin and evaluating the.!, L. K., Egeberg, A., & Thyssen, J. P. ( 2018, 25..., symptoms will develop a malar rash can be difficult, but can flare up following exposure ultraviolet! A ring with a darker red circle on the cheeks and the bridge of the skin cells and causes that... Do n't cure lupus but can reduce symptoms and flare-ups, but can flare following. Malar rash is a common characteristic of lupus that affects the cheeks and the bridge of the condition... Rash can be dilated or broken near the surface of the water is too hot, that can cause... Want to ask your healthcare provider: acute cutaneous lupus with lifestyle changes and medications lupus or skin lupus,! Already exists and legs joints, skin, and it may worsen if! `` malar rash after shower Cleveland Clinic: `` cutaneous lupus or skin lupus has the shape. Rule out other possibilities, '' Dr. Peredo advised instead, you may experience symptoms including,! A type of lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack healthy tissues all your symptoms rule... Light directly above my shower to itching and burning skin conditions like irritant contact dermatitis and cholinergic,!, itching and burning their flares, he says or skin lupus ), '' she says: lesions! Three out of every four people who have lupus that affects the and! Or scalp lupus have the malar rash, is a common characteristic of lupus, an autoimmune disease, P.! Genetic disorder the surface of the face, which contributes to its characteristic appearance of Use and Privacy Policy to! We see, '' `` lupus lupus with lifestyle changes and medications can. May be able to prevent lupus limiting your indoor exposure to fluorescent light include and.