Malar rash

A butterfly rash is erythema, the butterfly-shaped spreads in the face. It refers to a circumscribed, bright red, flat to slightly raised redness, starting symmetrically extends to the zygomatic and buccal region from the bridge of the nose. In this stage, the butterfly rash disappear without treatment after some time and is often mistaken for a sunburn.

In lupus erythematosus the butterfly rash may in the course spread over the entire face, including the folds between the nose and corners of the mouth ( nasolabial folds ), and pass into a persistent scaly rash with blisters.

The butterfly rash is a characteristic symptom of the lupus erythematosus, but can also occur in erysipelas of the face. Similar lesions may, inter alia, occur with fifth disease, an allergic contact dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, a, rosacea or dermatomyositis.