Lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can manifest cutaneously, orally, and systemically. Risk factors for developing cutaneous lesions include sex (3:1 female-to-male ratio, especially during childbearing years) and race/ethnicity, with Black patients demonstrating a higher incidence compared with White patients. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus may be acute, subacute, or chronic (also known as discoid). Sex and race/ethnicity are also risk factors for developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with a 6:1 female-to-male ratio, and with Black women demonstrating a fourfold higher incidence compared with White women. Individuals of childbearing potential are most commonly affected. Lupus erythematosus can also be drug induced.

Oral mucosal lesions can occur in both cutaneous and systemic forms of lupus erythematosus. The lips, gingiva, tongue, and palatal and buccal mucosa are the most commonly involved sites.

For a more in-depth discussion of the subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and of SLE, see Discoid lupus erythematosus, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and Systemic lupus erythematosus. See also Drug-induced lupus erythematosus.