There are two types of lupus (immune system attacks itself) in dogs: systemic and discoid. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is rare in dogs. SLE attacks various tissues in the body; kidneys, skin, heart, lungs, nervous system, blood, and/or joints.Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a type of SLE, but is localized and doesn't spread through the entire system. DLE is skin specific and the sores are confined to the face and nose. The Nordic Dogs may have a genetic predisposition towards developing DLE. A biopsy is required to 100% diagnose DLE. First they lose the pigment around their nose and the nose texture gets abnormally smooth. Next, crust and open sores or ulcerated areas form. The nose, lips, ears, the skin around the eyes, and occasionally the genitals are affected.Exposure to the sun aggravates this condition and your dog must have sun protection. There are precious few organic sunscreen ingredients available that really help shield from the sun’s rays. Zinc oxide is the most well known, but ingestion can cause zinc toxicity in dogs. So, the sun protection options with no zinc that are natural are very limited. Official Disclaimer: This is presented as info only – consult your vet for a definitive diagnosis and course of action!