Chronic form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in which the skin lesions mimic those of the systemic form but in which systemic signs are rare; characterized by the presence of discoid skin plaques showing varying degrees of edema, erythema, scaliness, follicular plugging, and skin atrophy; lesions are surrounded by an elevated erythematous border; the condition typically involves the face and scalp, but widespread dissemination may occur.

Discoid lupus erythematosus is the most common type of chronic cutaneous lupus (CCLE), an autoimmune skin condition on the lupus erythematosus spectrum of illnesses. It presents with red, painful, inflamed and coin-shaped patches of skin with a scaly and crusty appearance, most often on the scalp, cheeks, and ears...