Symptoms: Pruritic Skin Lesions in a 36-Year-Old African American Woman Diagnosed with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

A 36-year-old African American woman presented with mildly painful pruritic skin lesions, diagnosed as Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), a chronic inflammatory condition often leading to scarring and alopecia. DLE is more common in women and can be misdiagnosed due to its similarity to other skin conditions. Management includes referral for outpatient workup, sun protection, and topical glucocorticoids for mild cases, with more potent treatments for severe cases. Antimalarial agents and other oral medications may be used for refractory cases. Emergency treatment should be in consultation with a specialist, and long-term management may involve multiple medical disciplines. The patient was admitted for further rheumatology evaluation due to systemic lupus symptoms.