In
medicineMedicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
,
malar rash, also called
butterfly rash, is a
medical signA 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 erythematosusLupus erythematosus is a connective tissue disease. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs...
but is not
pathognomonicPathognomonic is a term, often used in medicine, that means characteristic for a particular disease...
- it is also seen in other diseases such as
dermatomyositisDermatomyositis is a connective-tissue disease related to polymyositis that is characterized by inflammation of the muscles and the skin.-Causes:The cause is unknown, but it may result from either a viral infection or an autoimmune reaction...
.
MalarMalar may refer to:*Cheek, called malar in Latin*Malar Stripe, on birds, an identifying characteristics in some species that resemble a moustache, indeed sometimes referred to as a moustachial or submuoustachial stripe...
is
LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...
for "cheek".
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 testA diagnostic test is any kind of medical test performed to aid in the diagnosis or detection of disease. For example:* to diagnose diseases* to measure the progress or recovery from disease* to confirm that a person is free from disease...
s (usually an
ANAAnti-nuclear antibodies are antibodies directed against contents of the cell nucleus....
as a screening test which is not specific for systemic lupus erythematodes]) and a detailed history and examination are necessary to differentiate it from other conditions.
External links
- http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM009.html
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/2507.htm