How is acute cutaneous lupus diagnosed?

How is acute cutaneous lupus diagnosed?

A dermatologist (doctor specializing in skin) or a rheumatologist a doctor specializing in arthritis) may diagnose acute cutaneous lupus.

Sometimes your provider may do a skin test called a biopsy to make the diagnosis. During a biopsy, your dermatologist removes a small skin sample. Your provider sends the skin sample to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. By looking at the skin sample under a microscope, healthcare providers can tell if a skin rash is due to acute cutaneous lupus or another condition.