This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

This form of LE comprises up to 10% of SLE cases and is characterised by the presence of persistent macular or slightly raised erythematous lesions on the upper trunk and arms. Females are affected more than males.

Serology:

  • circulating anti-Ro, anti-La antibodies and rheumatoid factor may be found.
  • mild hypocomplimentaemia.

Features:

  • tends to be benign - life-threatening systemic involvement tends to be uncommon.

Treatment:

  • topical steroids and intralesional steroids.
  • if topical therapy is not sufficient then alternatives include:
    • prednisolone and cytotoxic drugs
    • other antimalarial drugs eg mepacrine. Mepacrine may be used in combination with hydroxychloroquine

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.