Flagellate Dermatosis - An Unusual Dermatological Finding in a Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

A 28-year-old female presented with a history of 'on and off' low-grade fever for last 2 months, asymmetrical small and large joint involvement with oral ulcers and flagellate dermatosis and pigmentation over arms. Peripheral smear revealed anaemia and leukopenia and urine examination revealed proteinuria and haematuria. ANA profile was positive for anti-ds DNA, anti-Histone, and anti-Nucleosome antibody suggestive of active Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patient was treated with injectable steroids following which the rashes and symptoms subsided. We report here probably the second case report of flagellate dermatosis as one of the rare initial dermatological manifestations of SLE.