Etymed
lupus erythematosus
Definition
A chronic autoimmune disease characterized by skin lesions that resemble a wolf's bite, with red, scaly patches on the skin
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with a malar rash that appeared after sun exposure, along with joint pain and fatigue. She has a history of photosensitivity and was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Her skin lesions have a characteristic butterfly distribution across her cheeks and nose.
Mnemonic
Look for the wolf bite rash - lupus erythematosus causes red, scaly patches that look like a wolf's bite on the face