Malar rash
Encyclopedia
In medicine
, malar rash (from Latin
‘jaw, cheek-bone’), also called butterfly rash, is a medical sign
consisting of a characteristic form of facial rash. It is often seen in Lupus erythematosus
but is not pathognomonic
- it is also seen in other diseases such as Pellagra
, dermatomyositis
and Bloom Syndrome
.
The malar rash of lupus is red or purplish and mildly scaly. Characteristically, it has the shape of a butterfly and involves the bridge of the nose. Notably, the rash spares the naso-labial folds of the face, which contributes to its characteristic appearance.
It is usually macular with sharp edges and not itchy. The rash can be transient or progressive with involvement of other parts of the facial skin.
A malar rash is present in approximately 46-65% of lupus sufferers and varies between different populations.
There are numerous other conditions which can cause rashes with a similar appearance. Where lupus is suspected further medical test
s (usually an ANA
as a screening test which is not specific for systemic lupus erythematosus
) and a detailed history and examination are necessary to differentiate it from other conditions.
has a malar rash on his face due to discoid lupus.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, malar rash (from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
‘jaw, cheek-bone’), also called butterfly rash, is a medical sign
Medical sign
A medical sign is an objective indication of some medical fact or characteristic that may be detected by a physician during a physical examination of a patient....
consisting of a characteristic form of facial rash. It is often seen in Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a category for a collection of diseases with similar underlying problems with immunity . Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs...
but is not pathognomonic
Pathognomonic
Pathognomonic is a term, often used in medicine, that means characteristic for a particular disease. A pathognomonic sign is a particular sign whose presence means that a particular disease is present beyond any doubt...
- it is also seen in other diseases such as Pellagra
Pellagra
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease most commonly caused by a chronic lack of niacin in the diet. It can be caused by decreased intake of niacin or tryptophan, and possibly by excessive intake of leucine. It may also result from alterations in protein metabolism in disorders such as carcinoid...
, dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis is a connective-tissue disease related to polymyositis and Bramaticosis that is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin.- Causes :...
and Bloom Syndrome
Bloom syndrome
Bloom's syndrome , also known as Bloom–Torre–Machacek syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive chromosomal disorder characterized by a high frequency of breaks and rearrangements in an affected person's chromosomes. The condition was discovered and first described by dermatologist Dr...
.
The malar rash of lupus is red or purplish and mildly scaly. Characteristically, it has the shape of a butterfly and involves the bridge of the nose. Notably, the rash spares the naso-labial folds of the face, which contributes to its characteristic appearance.
It is usually macular with sharp edges and not itchy. The rash can be transient or progressive with involvement of other parts of the facial skin.
A malar rash is present in approximately 46-65% of lupus sufferers and varies between different populations.
There are numerous other conditions which can cause rashes with a similar appearance. Where lupus is suspected further medical test
Medical test
A diagnostic test is any kind of medical test performed to aid in the diagnosis or detection of disease. For example:* to diagnose diseases, and preferably sub-classify it regarding, for example, severity and treatability...
s (usually an ANA
Anti-nuclear antibody
Anti-nuclear antibodies are autoantibodies directed against contents of the cell nucleus....
as a screening test which is not specific for systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
) and a detailed history and examination are necessary to differentiate it from other conditions.
Trivia
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has a malar rash on his face due to discoid lupus.
External links
- http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM009.html
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/2507.htm