Butterfly Rash on Face - Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Do you suffer from reddish rashes on your face that appear like a butterfly in shape? Then you are at the right place. This skin problem is medically termed as a “butterfly rash on the face”.

A Butterfly rash, commonly referred to as a malar rash and refers to an irritation of the skin, which extends across your face in the shape of a butterfly.  The rash spreads in the form of a wing to cover your cheeks and as a body to run down the bridge of your nose. A butterfly rash is not a skin infection on its own, but a symptom of some other disease.

Butterfly rash symptoms

The symptoms of the butterfly rash can be both severe and mild in nature, based on the magnitude of the rash and also the level of exposure to sun rays. In mild malar rashes, they gain a blush like facet whereas in severe cases of rash, one can notice the formation of scales on the affected areas in the face. In both forms of rashes, they can be flat or raised, and sometimes, worsen with exposure to the sun.

Moreover, a person suffering from a butterfly rash also reflects symptoms of fatigue, even though the reason has not yet been found. Lupus butterfly rash, especially causes pain and swelling in the joints apart from signs of infection of the kidneys and urinary tract or inflammation of the glands. This pain also tends to increase the body temperature.

Severe butterfly rash on the face can also be detected by disorders like convulsion, confusion and seizures. However, one good fact about this rash is that it does not cause any kind of itching in the face, though the problem can be progressive in nature. One can also experience a burning sensation at times.

Causes of butterfly rash on face

Many diseases can cause a butterfly rash on face. Some of notable causes of this rash are as follows:

·        Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

This is a chronic autoimmune problem that results in a natural attack on the cells, organs and tissues of the human body. The body can also make the organs dysfunctional and cause irreparable damage. SLE is mainly triggered due to exposure to pollutants in the environment, harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and side effects of certain drugs. This disease also causes a red butterfly rash on the face. Men and women in the age group of 15 to 50 ears can be affected by this problem alike.

·        Rosacea 

      Another chronic problem that affects the skin is the ‘Rosacea’ that is symbolized by the facial swelling as well as a reddishness. The individual can also suffer from pimples filled with pus, on the cheeks, in certain cases. Such a problem can also cause butterfly rash on the face. The importance of blood vessels on the face is a highly noticeable feature of this condition.

·        Bloom Syndrome

The abnormalities in the pattern of chromosomal arrangement of a person can cause bloom syndrome. One of the symptoms of this disease is the development of rashes on the face including butterfly rash.

·        Lyme problem

The ticking of the mouse can cause the formation of a bacterial agent  that can also affect the eyes, nervous system, skin and heart of a person.One of the effects on the skin as a result of this mouse tick is a butterfly rash that appears on the face.

·        Erysipelas

This problem is also a result of a bacterial agent termed as Streptococcal. It can cause acute inflammation of the skin causing painful and red malar rashes on the face.

·        Seborrheic dermatitis

This is a chronic disease that not only causes skin scaling, but also the formation of dandruff in the hair. Apart from this, this dermatitis problem can cause rashes on the skin and scalp including a malar rash on the face or neck.

·        Over exposure to sun

People with sensitive skin can be affected by butterfly rashes on the face when they expose themselves to the harmful UV rays for a prolonged period of time.

Treatment of a Malar or Butterfly Rash on the face

It is pertinent that you consult  dermatologist for an immediate diagnosis of the disease that has caused this rash. They conduct various tests to identify the exact cause and treat the condition accordingly. The most common remedies for this problem are

·        Sunscreen lotions,

·        Steroidal creams,

·        Drugs to treat inflammation

·        Oil application as olive oil, coconut oil, cod oil, Vitamin E

·        Avoidance of exposure to silica, mercury, pesticides and other chemicals.

Lifestyle changes with a low at diet, plenty of sleep and loads of water can help in healing the butterfly rash in a relatively quicker manner.