Malar Rash 1
Please click to enlarge.
Note what signs you see.
I (W. Wertelecki, M.D.) see an adult woman with a butterfly like skin lesion on the nasal bridge and lower neck.
A butterfly rash is a sign that is a strong signal of the possibility of an instance of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, there are many other disorders associated with a butterfly like rash (malar rash) including Bloom syndrome, pellagra, dermatomyositis, many medications, and other factors causing hypersensitivity to sun light.
The pathogenesis of SLE is very complex and remains elusive – multiple genes and hormonal factors determine susceptibility and its prevalence among females – immune system alterations – formation of auto-antibodies – destructive vasculitis – clusters in families – concordance in twins including those who are dizygotic (DZ) – in short, there is evidence of multiple genetic factors being altered. SLE may impact developing fetuses – it is a cause of cardiac malfunction, mainly block of its rhythm.
Regarding pregnant women, SLE tends to flare during gestation and frequently be a cause fetal loss (~ 30%) or fetal growth restrictions.
Please, for more information, please consult standard sources of medical information.
