What kind of lupus are there

You are about to leave a GSK website. By clicking this link, you will be taken to a website that is independent from GSK. The site you are linking to is not controlled or endorsed by GSK, and GSK is not responsible for the content provided on that site. Some features of this site may not function properly. For optimal user experience, please view this site in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. When people talk about lupus, they may be referring to the most common form—systemic lupus erythematosus SLE.

However, there are actually four kinds. Click or scroll to read more about each of them: SLE , cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus.

I was just diagnosed with SLE. I have already asked my doctor so many questions. But I feel like I still have a hundred more. In about half of people living with SLE, a major organ or tissue in the body, such as the kidneys, brain, or heart, may be affected.

Some of the more serious complications include:. This type of lupus affects only the skin. Cutaneous lupus commonly causes both malar rashes and discoid rashes. The areas of rash can be raised, scaly, red areas that may not itch.

Others who live with cutaneous lupus may suffer from a rash over the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose, known as the "butterfly rash. Other rashes or sores may appear on the face, neck, or scalp where the skin is exposed to sunlight or fluorescent light , or in the mouth, nose, or vagina.

Hair loss and changes in the color of the skin are also symptoms of cutaneous lupus. Drug-induced lupus. It is caused by high doses of certain medications. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are like those of SLE but rarely affect major organs. These symptoms usually disappear within 6 months of stopping the medicine that caused them. Neonatal lupus. Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that can affect infants of women who have lupus. At birth, the baby may have a skin rash, liver problems, or low blood cell counts.

These symptoms usually disappear completely after 6 months with no lasting effects. Newborns of women with lupus are at greater risk for developing a very rare but serious heart defect.

With proper testing, doctors can now identify most at-risk mothers, and the infant can be treated at or before birth. Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects babies of women who have anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.

At birth, the infant may have a skin rash, liver problems or low blood cell count. Lupus of the Skin There are three types: Acute cutaneous lupus Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, or discoid lupus erythematosus DLE Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus A skin biopsy is sometimes necessary to diagnose these types of lupus, as each has its own characteristic lesions and patterns.

Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus The main symptom of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, or DLE, is a rash that can leave major scars. This type of lupus is more common in smokers and African-Americans. The drugs most commonly connected with drug-induced lupus include: Hydralazine: used rarely to treat high blood pressure or hypertension Procainamide: used rarely to treat irregular heart rhythms Isoniazid: used to treat tuberculosis Minocycline: used to treat acne Anti-TNF: used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathy Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects babies of women who have anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies.

There is no cure for lupus, but medical interventions and lifestyle changes can help control it. The seriousness of SLE can range from mild to life-threatening. The disease should be treated by a doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of SLE patients. People with lupus that get proper medical care, preventive care, and education can significantly improve function and quality of life. The causes of SLE are unknown, but are believed to be linked to environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors.

People with SLE may experience a variety of symptoms that include fatigue, skin rashes, fevers, and pain or swelling in the joints. Among some adults, having a period of SLE symptoms—called flares—may happen every so often, sometimes even years apart, and go away at other times—called remission. However, other adults may experience SLE flares more frequently throughout their life. Other symptoms can include sun sensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, lung problems, heart problems, kidney problems, seizures, psychosis, and blood cell and immunological abnormalities.

Learn more about lupus triggers and how to control your symptoms on the Managing Lupus page. Early diagnosis and effective treatments can help reduce the damaging effects of SLE and improve the chance to have better function and quality of life. Poor access to care, late diagnosis, less effective treatments, and poor adherence to therapeutic regimens may increase the damaging effects of SLE, causing more complications and an increased risk of death.

These limitations experienced by people with SLE can impact their quality of life, especially if they experience fatigue. Fatigue is the most common symptom negatively affecting the quality of life of people with SLE. Adherence to treatment regimens is often a problem, especially among young women of childbearing age 15 to 44 years. Because SLE treatment may require the use of strong immunosuppressive medications that can have serious side effects, female patients must stop taking the medication before and during pregnancy to protect unborn children from harm.

Women with lupus can safely get pregnant and most will have normal pregnancies and healthy babies. SLE is diagnosed by a health care provider using symptom assessments, physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests. SLE may be difficult to diagnose because its early signs and symptoms are not specific and can look like signs and symptoms of other diseases. Because diagnosis can be challenging, it is important to see a doctor specializing in rheumatology for a final diagnosis. SLE can affect people of all ages, including children.

However, women of childbearing ages—15 to 44 years—are at greatest risk of developing SLE. Most people with SLE do not have family members with the disease; however, some people with SLE do have a family history of the disease. Men and women with an immediate family member with SLE have only a slightly higher risk for the disease.

Treating SLE often requires a team approach because of the number of organs that can be affected. SLE treatment consists primarily of immunosuppressive drugs that inhibit activity of the immune system.