Autoimmune disease of connective tissue.
A form of lupus that most commonly causes red, round plaques (patches of thick raised skin) on the face, scalp,-or ears. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that is less severe than systemic lupus erythematosus. It occurs when an unknown trigger causes the immune system to attack parts of the body as if they were foreign substances. DLE is suspected by its appearance and diagnosed through a biopsy of the rash. Treatment of the skin rash is with corticosteroid creams or oral medications. Because sun sensitivity can be a problem, sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing should be worn.
A chronic skin disease characterized by periodic acute appearances of a scaling, red, macular rash. DLE is caused by an autoimmune process involving both B-cell— and T-cell— mediated mechanisms that destroy the skin’s basal cells. DLE is treated with topical corticosteroids. It is found in about 5% to 30% of patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (especially those who smoke) but also may occur alone (without other findings of SLE).
A variant of the chronic autoimmune condition lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus exclusively affects the skin. It manifests as a red, itchy, scaly rash that commonly emerges on the face, scalp, behind the ears, and on sun-exposed areas of the body. This disorder predominantly occurs in women aged 25 to 45 and exhibits a familial tendency. Over the course of several years, discoid lupus erythematosus may experience periods of remission and recurrence with varying levels of severity. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through a skin biopsy, and treatment involves the use of topical corticosteroid medications or drugs like hydroxychloroquine.