Treatment
Discoid lupus erythematosus
Treatment of DLE involves both general and specific measures. General measures include sun protection, smoking cessation, and vitamin D supplementation. Local therapy often includes potent or ultrapotent topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and cosmetic camouflage for extensive scarring.
Systemic therapy may involve short-term use of systemic corticosteroids for symptom control, while longer-term options include various immunomodulatory agents and biologic agents. Despite the availability of multiple treatment options, managing DLE can be challenging, and the condition may persist for many years, sometimes leading to squamous cell carcinoma in longstanding plaques.