Acute Generalized Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Repeatedly Mistaken for Cellulitis

Abstract

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) may occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or independently of SLE. Among the various subtypes of CLE, acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE) has the highest rate of occurrence in association with SLE rather than independently; thus, if a patient presents with ACLE, a workup for SLE should be performed if not already diagnosed. In this case, we present a 52-year-old female with a past medical history consistent with a diagnosis of SLE (including end-stage renal disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, and seizure disorder); however, the patient went undiagnosed for years. Thus, when she presented with an unusual presentation of ACLE, the diagnosis was initially overlooked.