That's a totally understandable concern — nobody wants an extra mark on their face! The good news is that a dermatologist won't automatically jump straight to a biopsy for a malar (butterfly) rash.
They'll typically start with:
- A physical examination of the rash
- A review of your medical history
- Blood tests, like an Show Full Answer
That's a totally understandable concern — nobody wants an extra mark on their face! The good news is that a dermatologist won't automatically jump straight to a biopsy for a malar (butterfly) rash.
They'll typically start with:
- A physical examination of the rash
- A review of your medical history
- Blood tests, like an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, to check for signs of autoimmune activity
A biopsy is usually only recommended when the diagnosis isn't clear from those initial steps. If a biopsy is needed, it involves removing a very small sample of skin tissue. While any skin procedure can leave a minor mark, dermatologists are skilled at minimizing this, and the sample taken is tiny.
It's absolutely worth raising your concerns about scarring directly with your dermatologist before any procedure. They can walk you through exactly what to expect and help weigh whether a biopsy is truly necessary in your case.
October 5
Join
Your Privacy Choices
