Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Normally, your immune system helps your body fight infections from bacteria, viruses and other causes. With lupus, your immune system becomes overactive. It produces antibodies that mistakenly see your healthy cells, tissues and organs as threats and attacks them.

This autoimmune response causes inflammation, pain and damage in different organs and systems of the body including the skin, joints, kidneys, blood, lungs, heart and brain. Lupus symptoms can range from mild to severe and can vary among different people who have it. 

By understanding lupus, you can manage its symptoms and minimize or avoid complications. Living with lupus can be challenging, but you can have a fulfilling life with the right medical care and lifestyle changes.

Types of lupus

There are various forms of lupus:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): SLE is the most common and serious form of lupus. SLE can affect the kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system and other organs and systems in the body. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes (butterfly-shaped facial rash), fever and sensitivity to sunlight. With SLE, you need ongoing management and monitoring by health care providers.
• Non-systemic (skin only)
• Discoid lupus erythematosus: Discoid lupus erythematosus mainly affects the skin. It causes distinctive red, scaly patches or lesions that often appear on the face, scalp and ears. It can cause skin pigmentation changes and scarring if it’s not treated quickly. Some with discoid lupus may eventually develop SLE.
• Subacute cutaneous lupus: Subacute cutaneous lupus also mainly affects the skin. Its skin lesions often look like red, scaly patches that get worse when they are exposed to sunlight (photosensitive). Subacute cutaneous lupus lesions usually show up on the arms, shoulders and neck.  Some with this condition may also develop SLE.
• Drug-induced lupus: Drug-induced lupus is a rare type of lupus triggered by certain medications, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants and some medications used to treat heart conditions. Symptoms may include joint pain, fever and fatigue similar to SLE, but rarely with severe organ issues. It usually clears up when you stop taking the medication that’s causing the symptoms. 
• Neonatal lupus: Neonatal lupus is lupus found in newborns born to mothers who have SLE. It is rare.

Causes and risk factors

It’s not clear exactly what causes autoimmune diseases like lupus. A combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors may be involved. Lupus is not contagious.

Genetics

If you have a family history of lupus or other autoimmune diseases, you are at a higher risk of developing lupus yourself. Specific genes, like variations in HLA (human leukocyte antigen) genes, can make you more likely to have lupus. But not everyone with a genetic predisposition will develop lupus.

Environmental triggers

Some environmental factors can trigger or worsen lupus symptoms:

• Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) light from sunlight can trigger skin lesions.
• Infections: Viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and bacterial infections can sometimes cause lupus symptoms to begin or get worse. Infections may activate the immune system in a way that promotes autoimmune reactions.
• Medications: Certain medications such as antibiotics, anticonvulsants and blood pressure medications can trigger lupus. 

You’re at higher risk for lupus if you are:

• Female: Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women. A reaction to estrogen may make lupus more likely.
• Between ages 15 and 45.
• Black, Hispanic, Asian-American, Native American or Pacific Islander.
• Someone with a parent, child, brother or sister who has lupus or another autoimmune disease.

Lupus symptoms and diagnosis

Fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and other symptoms can be signs of lupus, but they can also be signs of other conditions. Symptoms can be mild or severe and can change over time. You may also have one or two symptoms at first and more as time goes on. Various tests can help figure out if you have lupus, but diagnosis may take a long time.

Learn more about signs, symptoms and diagnosing lupus.

Lupus treatment

A range of different medications may help treat lupus. At first, your health care provider may want you to try different medications to see what works best. Over time, you’ll have a better idea of what you can use to keep your symptoms under control and treat flare-ups. Lifestyle changes may also help.

Learn more about treating and living with lupus.