Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE) - almost all of these patients have active systemic lupus with skin involvement.

The butterfly (malar) rash is seen in 40%-60% of lupus patients.

Malar rash

ACLE is usually found on the cheeks and bridge of the nose, but can also quite often be found anywhere on the face and in the 'V' area of the neck.

People with ACLE usually have systemic complaints. ACLE appears to correlate with disease activity in individuals that have the malar rash. Treatment of ACLE is treatment of the underlying systemic disease. Topical medications don't appear to help much.

The ACLE rash can last anything from a few days to months. After sun exposure, the rash may appear or intesify quite suddenly. Although not usually scarring, occasionally ACLE lesions will leave areas of hyper- or hypo-pigmentation.

ACLE rashes can occur along with SCLE rashes, but seldom with DLE lesions.