Lupus is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune disease.
9 out of 10 people with lupus are women.
Lupus symptoms can change over time and vary from person to person.
Symptoms can be:
Be light or heavy
Come and go
Lasts for a short or long time
Lupus flare-ups
Flare-ups or flare-ups occur when lupus symptoms worsen or a new symptom appears.
Symptoms of a flare-up may include:
- Fever or flu-like symptoms that are not due to infection
- Joint pain or swelling
- fatigue
- Rash, tingling or numbness
- Sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose
- Swelling in the legs
Lupus triggers
Common triggers that cause lupus symptoms for the first time or worsen existing symptoms include:
- Sunlight and certain indoor light
- Fluorescent or halogen bulbs
- Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds
- Medication
Some medications, such as hydralazine, procainamide, or quinidine, can cause drug-induced lupus.
- Physical stress
- Infections
- Injuries
- Big physical changes like pregnancy
- Infections or diseases
- Parvovirus
- Herpes zoster
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Certain bacterial infections
- Emotional stress
- Care
- Work stress
- Financial concerns
- Grief or loss
- Discrimination and harassment
Childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are closely linked to lupus.
- Exhaustion or lack of sleep
- Air pollution
- smoke
- smog
- Quartz dust, ozone and other particles
- Exposure to heavy metals and toxins
Tracking your symptoms can help you recognize and avoid triggers and prevent lupus flare-ups.
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
