Distingishing Lupus eruptions from hickeys: Identifying traits, signs, and additional information
For many, the terms 'lupus rash' and 'hickey' may seem interchangeable, but they are distinct. Here's a closer look at the visual differences between these two conditions.
Lupus Rashes
Lupus rashes, particularly those associated with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, present as discolored, scaly, thickened, and sometimes raised patches or plaques on the skin. They may be red or purplish and often have a disc-shaped or butterfly shape. These rashes may appear on the face, chest, and less commonly on the buttocks or under the breasts. Unlike hickeys, lupus rashes usually do not bruise or have typical bruising hues, and they may cause mild itching or burning.
Hickeys
Hickeys, or love bites, are bruises caused by suction or biting, resulting in blood vessel breakage under the skin. They usually appear as red, purple, or dark bruised patches with irregular edges but tend to be smooth and flat rather than scaly or raised. Hickeys generally resolve over days to weeks, changing colors from red to purple to yellow/green as they heal. They often occur on the neck, arms, or other commonly kissed or bitten areas but not typically on the face or chest like lupus rashes.
Key Visual Distinctions
| Feature | Lupus Rash | Hickey | |--------------------------|----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Color | Red, purplish, discolored; may be scaly | Red, purple, blue/green/yellow as bruise | | Texture | Scaly, thickened, sometimes raised | Smooth, flat, bruise-like | | Shape | Disc-shaped, circular, butterfly-shaped | Irregular bruise shapes | | Common locations | Face (malar rash), chest, sometimes buttocks or breasts | Neck, arms, skin areas subject to suction | | Duration and evolution| May persist, worsen with sun exposure or flare | Changes color and fades over 1–2 weeks |
In summary, lupus rashes appear as inflamed, scaly, discolored patches or plaques, often in characteristic shapes, while hickeys look like bruised, smooth patches with color changes typical of bruising.
It's essential to be aware that other conditions, such as mosquito bites, spider bites, tick bites, bed bug bites, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and fungal infections, can cause red marks on the skin that may resemble hickeys. If someone develops a skin rash resembling a hickey, they should seek medical attention from their primary care doctor or a dermatologist, especially if they have a confirmed lupus diagnosis and experience new or worsening symptoms. Regular checkups with a healthcare professional familiar with lupus are also crucial to monitor symptoms and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Skin care is crucial when dealing with medical conditions like lupus, which can cause rashes that may resemble hickeys but differ in color, texture, shape, and location. Lupus rashes, seen in cutaneous lupus erythematosus, often appear as discolored, scaly, thickened, and sometimes raised patches or plaques on the skin, and may be red or purplish in color. On the other hand, hickeys are bruises caused by suction or biting, resulting in blood vessel breakage under the skin, and they usually appear as red, purple, or dark bruised patches with irregular edges but tend to be smooth and flat. It is essential to distinguish between these two conditions as they require different approaches in health and wellness, and other medical conditions can also cause marks similar to hickeys. Therefore, seeking professional medical advice from doctors or dermatologists is necessary when encountering an unknown rash or skin abnormality.
