What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the skin, joints, organs, nervous system, blood cells, kidneys, or some combination of body systems. The term "lupus" commonly refers to systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE.

There are several kinds of lupus, though SLE is the most common. Many lupus symptoms can mimic other conditions, and lupus causes are unknown. Here's what else you need to know about this condition, including diagnosis, treatment, and how to cope if you have it.

Types of Lupus

The most common and most severe type of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is an autoimmune disease that can affect various joints and organs throughout your body, mainly the skin. There are several other types of lupus, which include:

• Acute cutaneous lupus: The butterfly rash that people associate with lupus is part of this type's presentation. Some people may also have a rash that includes small, raised bumps on places like their chest or legs instead of the butterfly rash.
• Chilblain lupus: Cold exposure can cause this kind of lupus, leading to itchy or painful skin bumps and patches. It can occur in several areas of the body, such as the skin on your toes, elbows, or lower legs.
• Discoid lupus erythematosus: This is the most common cutaneous lupus that causes disc-shaped patch rashes and can result in permanent scars.
• Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE): DILE is one of the only types of lupus that can go away. It can occur when people are taking a medication for a certain time but will go away when they stop the medication.
• Lupus erythematosus tumidus: This is a type of lupus where a person has firm patches of raised skin and bumps.
• Lupus panniculitis or lupus profundus: Lupus panniculitis or profundus results in hollow areas of the skin from affecting the skin's deepest layer.
• Neonatal lupus erythematosus: Neonatal lupus erythematosus, which rarely develops in babies, is the other type of lupus that can go away. It doesn't require treatment, but a pediatrician or healthcare provider will want to watch the baby in case of any complications.
• Subacute cutaneous lupus: Skin rashes may be the immediate result of sun exposure with skin protection. The rashes may lead to ringed patches with discolored borders.

Lupus Symptoms

People with lupus may experience an array of symptoms. A butterfly-shaped rash stretching from cheek to cheek across the bridge of the nose is a hallmark of lupus. Other signs of lupus include:

• Anemia
• Blood clots
• Dry eyes
• Fatigue or malaise
• Fever with no known cause
• Hair loss
• Headaches, confusion, and dizziness
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Mostly painless mouth ulcers
  
• Other rashes, particularly on areas of the body exposed to the sun
• Pain in the chest when taking a breath
• Pain or purple fingers or toes due to cold or stress
• Seizures or psychosis
• Stroke
• Sun sensitivity
• Swelling in the feet, legs, fingers, or around the eyes
  

Some people have symptoms that persist over long stretches of time, while others see their symptoms subside or disappear for a while (this is considered a remission), only to flare again later on. In other words, one person's experience with the disease can be entirely different from someone else's.

Signs and Symptoms of Lupus

What Causes Lupus?

What Causes a Lupus Sun Rash?

What Is the Lupus Butterfly Rash?

Causes

The causes of lupus remain unknown, but genetics may play a role. Several genes have been linked to lupus, yet no single gene or combination of genes has been identified as being directly responsible.

Some people appear to be at increased risk of developing lupus if a family member has it. However, like the causes of lupus, inheritance patterns are unknown.

One theory is that environmental factors flip the switch that turns lupus on in people who are already genetically susceptible. Researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact factors, but one study cited possible triggers as:

• Certain drugs, including sulfa-based medicines, tetracycline, and antibiotics
• Certain infections
  
• Exhaustion or emotional stress
• Physical stress from bodily injury, surgery, pregnancy, or childbirth
• Ultraviolet light

Hormones—the body's chemical messengers—may also be involved in the disease process in some way. However, more research on this is needed.

Risk Factors

The key risk factors for lupus are age and sex. Most signs and symptoms of the disease appear between the ages of 15 and 44, but younger and older people can also develop lupus. Additionally, compared to men, women are more affected by the condition.

How Is Lupus Diagnosed?

How Is Lupus Treated?

How To Prevent Lupus

Managing and Preventing Lupus Flares

Diagnosis

There is no single diagnostic test to confirm someone has lupus, so it can take time to get a lupus diagnosis. Beyond receiving medical history and completing a physical exam, healthcare providers rely on a combination of tools to diagnose lupus, which include:

• Blood tests: A healthcare provider will get a sample of blood. While blood tests do not identify if a person has lupus, they can indicate if certain proteins are in the blood to help with diagnosis.
• Kidney biopsy: Tissue from your kidney goes to a lab for examination under a microscope.
• Skin biopsy: A small part of your skin is removed to be examined in a lab under a microscope.

Lupus Treatment

Since there's no cure, getting a lupus diagnosis and starting treatment as soon as possible is the key to keeping lupus under control. Since every person with lupus experiences the disease differently, treatment regimens are tailor-made to the patient.

In general, healthcare providers prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and minimize organ damage. These include:

• Biologics have also been shown to help treat lupus. Benlysta (belimumab) and Saphnelo (anifrolumab-fnia) are two of the biologics available for lupus. Both are types of monoclonal antibodies and are given either intravenously or by injection.
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone may be given to lessen the pain and swelling of inflammation in the body.
• Immune-suppressing drugs are helpful when steroids fail to control symptoms or when patients cannot tolerate high doses of steroids. People taking immunosuppressants must be closely monitored because these drugs reduce the body's ability to fight infections.
• Low-dose aspirin or prescription warfarin or heparin may be prescribed to people at risk of blood clots.
• Medicines for treating malaria have been shown to be effective in decreasing the production of antibodies that attack the body's organs and tissues.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are recommended to ease pain and fever, for example.
  

Self-Care

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help people with lupus live life to the fullest. Self-care tips include:

• Asking if vitamin D supplements are necessary
• Avoiding sunbathing and tanning
• Connecting with other individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus
• Consulting a dermatologist before using alternative treatments for lupus
• Keeping dermatology appointments and seeing a dermatologist if you notice skin changes
• Knowing if any medications increase light sensitivity before taking them
• Limiting any touch of skin rashes and patches
• Protecting your skin from sun exposure daily and from the cold if you've been diagnosed with Raynaud's phenomenon, which makes your fingers and toes cold-sensitive
• Replacing UV light bulbs, like fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and halogen bulbs
• Quitting, or not starting, smoking

How To Prevent Lupus

There isn't a way to prevent lupus, but people with lupus can take measures to help prevent flares. One measure is to avoid triggers for flare-ups, which may be:

• Certain medicines
• Infections or injuries
• A lack of rest
• Stress
• Sun or fluorescent and halogen light exposure

It's also important for people to partner with a healthcare provider about treatment plans. Medications that ease pain, clear up rashes, reduce inflammation, and quell the immune system can help many people living with lupus prevent and manage symptoms and stave off complications.

Self-Care Tips for Living With Lupus

This Was Selena Gomez's Lupus Treatment

Related Conditions

People with lupus are also more likely to have lapses in memory, difficulty concentrating, and confusion. One study reported that up to 90% of patients with SLE experience cognitive dysfunction, also known as "brain fog." Lupus-related brain fog usually ebbs and flows but doesn't get progressively worse.

In some people, cognitive-related symptoms are bad enough to interfere significantly with daily life. Talk to a healthcare provider about lupus treatments that can address your symptoms and ways to circumvent your memory issues.

Lupus in Children

Depending on the body systems affected, lupus looks very different from one child to another. Many of the symptoms in adults can show up in children, like butterfly rashes, fatigue, and hair loss. Also, the younger the child, the more aggressive the symptoms of lupus can be.

Raising a child or teen with lupus poses numerous challenges. You and your child will make regular trips to a healthcare provider and specialists to keep the disease in check. While children can learn to manage their symptoms, it's also up to parents to make sure their kids eat a healthy diet, get adequate sleep, and take their medicines as directed.

Living With Lupus

Many people may experience years of vague or erratic symptoms before finally getting a diagnosis of lupus. Regular doctor visits are necessary once you have been diagnosed with lupus. Managing lupus often entails having a team of healthcare providers by your side.

You may see a rheumatologist who specializes in treating joint, soft tissue, and autoimmune diseases or an immunologist versed in immune system disorders. Depending on your symptoms and complications, you may also see physicians who specialize in treating heart, kidney, lung, blood, hormone, skin, and nervous system issues.

See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if your symptoms change or worsen. Consulting a healthcare provider is also a good idea if your prescribed medication isn't making you feel better.