tumid lupus erythematosus tumid lupus erythematosus tumid lupus erythematosus is a rare, but distinctive entity in which patients present with edematous erythematous plaques, usually on the trunk. tumid lupus erythematosusother names"lupus erythematosus tumidus" lupus erythematosus tumidus (let) was reported by henri gougerot and burnier r. in 1930. it is a photosensitive skin disorder, a different subtype of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (cle) from discoid lupus erythematosus (dle) or subacute cle (scle). let is usually found on sun-exposed areas of the body. skin lesions are edematous, urticarialike annular papules and plaques. topical corticosteroids are not effective as treatment for let, but many will respond to chloroquine. let resolves with normal skin, no residual scarring, no hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. cigarette smokers who have let may not respond very well to chloroquine. it has been suggested that it is equivalent to jessner lymphocytic infiltrate of the skin.