Cutaneous Lupus

Dermatologists at NYU Langone offer expert diagnosis and treatment for people with cutaneous lupus, a chronic condition in which red, scaly, and sometimes itchy rashes and sores develop on the skin.

Cutaneous lupus is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly perceives healthy cells and tissues as a threat. It then attacks these healthy skin cells, resulting in skin lesions and associated symptoms. Skin rashes caused by cutaneous lupus often affect areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. Our experts diagnose cutaneous lupus by examining the appearance of a rash.

This condition may occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus, a form of lupus that causes inflammation in organs and joints throughout the body. However, many people who have cutaneous lupus never develop systemic lupus.

Doctors at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone also diagnose and manage lupus in children.