Do you see rashes occurring that extend across the face in a butterfly appearance? Then, it could be a malar rash. The upcoming HealthHearty article sheds light on the causes and treatment of this skin symptom, which occurs due to an underlying disease.
Malar rash is also known as butterfly rash because of the way it appears, mainly, on the face of a person. It derives its name from a Latin word ‘mala’ which means ‘cheekbone’. These rashes appear on the bridge of the nose and across the cheekbones, and it appears in the shape of a butterfly. This skin rash is either red or purple in color and scaly to a mild extent. It has sharp edges, but fortunately, it is not itchy like other rashes.
Causes
The underlying causes are mainly some diseases which lead to the formation of these rashes. The various diseases have been listed below:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
It is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease, which usually affects several parts of the human body, especially the cells and tissues. SLE mainly affects the heart, joints, lungs, skin, blood vessels, nervous system, kidneys, and liver. It is more common in women than in men, and it might occur either due to genetic reasons or due to environmental factors, like exposure to UV rays. This disease might also occur due to certain drug reactions, resulting in the formation of a typical lupus butterfly rash.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease in which the face of a person swells up and turns red. If you observe a constant blush on the face of a person, then it is the first sign of rosacea. Also, if the face has a constant sunburnt or blushed look, that refuses to subside irrespective of how hard you try, then it is a sure shot sign of rosacea. Besides the redness, one might also see the appearance of some pimple-like structures, which may be either small and solid or pus-filled. Even the blood vessels on the face become very prominent.
Lyme Disease
It is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is the most common tick-borne disease in which the bacterium is transmitted to the humans by the bite of the infected ticks. These ticks mainly come from mice. Lyme disease affects the skin, heart, eyes, central and peripheral nervous system, and musculoskeletal system.
Dermatomyositis
This is a connective tissue disease that results in an inflammation of the muscles and skin. There are; however, no known causes of this disease, but some doctors suggest that it might be due to some viral infection. Certain drugs, that are used to control the blood cholesterol levels, can also lead to dermatomyositis.
Seborrhea
Lack of proper nutrition and a weak immune system are the main causes of this chronic skin disease. Greasy scalp, dandruff formation, and scaling of the skin, mainly in the areas of scalp, nasolabial fold, central part of the face, under the breast, etc., are the main symptoms of this disease.
Symptoms
Listed below are some of the symptoms. If you see a person showing any of these indicants, then he/she should be taken to a doctor immediately for proper treatment.
- Appearance of rash on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose, making it look like a butterfly.
- The rashes are red or purple in color, making the skin look like it has got a permanent sunburn or blush.
- The rash can be either flat or raised, which gets worse when exposed to sunlight.
Treatment
There are several treatment options available, but the most important thing to be borne in mind is to visit a doctor at the right time.
- There are several steroid creams that can be used on the rashes, but use only the ones suggested by your doctor. Do not take over-the-counter medicines. Always confirm with a doctor before applying anything. These creams help in reducing the itching and inflammation.
- Avoid going out in the sunlight. Whenever out, use a sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
- There is nothing like following a healthy diet. If a person is suffering from this rash, the best thing to do is to boost the immune system, which can be done with the help of a healthy diet.
- Also, sleeping well and giving the body enough rest is important.
- Remember to have sufficient amounts of water throughout the day. Water helps to flush out toxins from the body.
Just follow the above treatment options, bear in mind the precautions, and follow the doctor’s advice religiously to get rid of this rash at the earliest. So, take care!
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
