What Is a Lupus Butterfly Rash?
A lupus butterfly rash is a symptom that can present in both cutaneous (skin) and systemic (whole-body) lupus. It’s frequently present in cutaneous versions of the illness and thought to occur about 30-40% of the time in people with systemic lupus. The descriptive name for this rash is easy to understand because of its appearance. It is a light pink to red or brown, flat or raised, discoloration of the skin that appears on the nose and cheeks, creating a butterfly shape. There are treatments that may address the rash partly or wholly, and presence of this skin symptom may worsen or recede; avoidance of sunlight is important to keep its appearance minimal.
