Sarcoidosis – Lupus Pernio

Lupus Pernio is a subtype of Sarcoidosis which I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Lupus Pernio is unrelated to Lupus but is a rather disfiguring form of Sarcoidosis that typically appears as brown to purple plaques affecting the skin of the head and neck.  The skin lesions in Lupus Pernio are usually chronic and can ulcerate resulting in scars.  Females are most often affected by Lupus Pernio.  Internal involvement is very common with most patients experiencing fibrosis of their lungs.  Nasal involvement is also very frequent and can lead to the collapse of the nasal bones.  Sarcoidosis can also involve other bones resulting in “punched out cysts” particularly in the fingers.  Many patients also experience ocular involvement.