Chilblain Lupus

A rare, chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease characterized by red or violaceous, initially pruritic (evolving to painful) papules and plaques located on acral areas (especially dorsal aspects of fingers and toes, while the nose and ear involvement is uncommon), exacerbated by cold and damp conditions, with fissuring and ulceration occasionally observed. Coexistence of discoid lupus erythematosus lesions elsewhere on the body and occasional progression to systemic lupus erythematosus may be associated. Histological examination and direct immunofluorescence studies reveal nonspecific inflammatory lupus erythematosus changes while results of cryoglobulin and cold agglutinin studies are negative.