Cutaneous Lupus refers to skin involvement in lupus. There are numerous types of rashes, including the classic "butterfly" rash, discoid lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus. Some patients may have lupus confined solely to the skin, whereas others may have skin rash in addition to other manifestations.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may cause inflammation in a number of organs in the body. In some individuals this may mean skin and joint involvement, while in others, kidneys, blood or central nervous system may be affected. There may also be cases where multiple organ involvement exists. Lupus is characterized by periods in which few, if any, symptoms are evident (remission) and other times during which symptoms become active (flare).

Drug-induced lupus is caused by certain prescribed drugs that create a lupus -like syndrome, which is similar to SLE; however, it rarely affects either the kidneys or central nervous system. The drugs most commonly involved are hydralazine, procaineamide, quinidine, phenytoin, D-penicllamine and isoniazid. When these drugs are discontinued, the symptoms usually fade. Only a small number of individuals who take these drugs develop drug-induced lupus.

- Information provided by Dr. Richard Furie, North Shore University Hospital