Hi Rachel,
I'm no expert at all....the main reason I'm replying to you is because I've wondered the same thing myself. I've read at least a dozen online articles to try to figure things out, and I'm even more confused after reading because some of them contradict the others!
I can tell you that my own rash is more of a flush that lasts for a while, but not minutes, more like several hours or a day or two. During that time it can get more intense or less intense looking....sunlight makes it worse, stress makes it worse, heat makes it worse.
Some of the online articles made it sound like it could be anywhere from a blush to a scaly red rash, and could be "transient" or could last for months. The problem is that none of the articles said how short "transient" might be!
Anyway, I was dx with lupus in October, but then in December my rheumy changed his mind and told me he doesn't think I have lupus. He's still treating me with the same meds though, so I don't think he's 100% sure.
Well, I sure hope someone more knowledgeable than I comes along to comment on this!!
Take care,
JoAnn