lupus

lupus (loo-pŭs) n. any of several chronic skin diseases. l. erythematosus (LE) an inflammatory autoimmune disease of connective tissue. In systemic LE (SLE) the skin and various internal organs are affected. Typically, there is a red scaly rash on the nose and cheeks; arthritis; and progressive damage to the kidneys. Often the heart, lungs, and brain are also affected. In a milder form, known as discoid LE (DLE), only the skin is affected. LE is treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs. l. verrucosus a rare tuberculous infection of the skin – commonly the arm or hand – typified by warty lesions. It occurs in those who have been reinfected with tuberculosis. l. vulgaris a tuberculous infection of the skin that often starts in childhood, with dark red patches on the nose or cheek. Unless treated with antituberculous drugs lupus vulgaris spreads, ulcerates, and causes extensive scarring.
www.uklupus.co.uk Details of SLE from The Lupus Site