Butterfly Rash on Face

This rash is also referred to as malar rash is a reddish, scaly rash which affects the naso-labial folds of the face. Its typical butterfly appearance involves the bridge of the nose and the cheeks. The rashes may be flat or raised and often get worse when exposed to the sun. While the primary cause of this rash is lupus erythematosus, other medical conditions can also cause the breakout. The rashes may vary in severity ranging from a mild blush across the cheek to severe red rashes on all parts of the body.

Causes of Butterfly Rash on Face

Discoid lupus erythematosus: This chronic skin disorder is characterized by red skin rashes on the face, ears and the scalp. These patches appear as lesions on the skin and tend to be well-defined, thick and scaly. The rashes are usually red in color and can be itchy as well. When the patches start healing they leave behind pigmented scars on the skin. Although the exact cause of the disease is not ascertained, discoid lupus erythematosus could be the result of the body's immune system incorrectly attacking normal skin. The condition is further aggravated in sunlight and by smoking. For curing the condition, topical cortisone ointment and cortisone injections are recommended.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: This autoimmune connective tissue disorder is one of the primary causes of butterfly rash on face. As the immune system attacks the cells and tissues of the body, inflammation and tissue damage affects heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. Along with the cardiac problems, anemia, joint pain and other symptoms, systemic lupus erythematosus has significant dermatological manifestations as well. This includes the classic butterfly rash along with alopecia, ulcers and lesions on the facial skin and other parts of the body.

Rosacea: Acne rosacea is a chronic skin condition that appears as red rashes across the cheeks, nose, or forehead. This is accompanied by inflamed red skin, bumps and pimples and thickened skin on the nose. This harmless cosmetic skin condition can turn out to be quite severe when it affects the eyes. It can be caused by the small intestine bacterial overgrowth, demodex mites and even exposure to extreme temperatures, sunburn, stress and anxiety. Foods high in histamines are also known to trigger off the condition. Oral and topical antibiotics can relieve the inflammation and redness on the face.

Seborrheic dermatitis: A common skin disorder, seborrheic dermatitis affects the sebum rich areas of the scalp, face and upper body parts. The skin takes on a scaly, greasy appearance aand can be aggravated with seasonal changes, fluctuations in the humidity levels and even emotional stress. From a mild dandruff to severe exfoliative erythroderma, the severity of seborrheic dermatitis can vary.

Erysipelas: An acute and severe streptococcal bacterial infection, erysipelas results in skin inflammation. The red swollen rashes can be painful and hardened. Erysipelas usually affects the face, arms and the extremities.

Once the doctor has ascertained the cause of these rashes, treatments may be easy to administer. For treating butterfly rash on face, lupus treatments such as steroidal creams and other medication may be recommended by the doctor. You can also try boosting your immune system by sticking to a healthy diet consisting of high fiber fruits and vegetables. Protect your skin from sunlight by using sunscreens as the harmful UV rays of the sun tend to aggravate the malar rashes on face.