What to know
Lupus is a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's tissues and organs. Lupus causes widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the organs it affects. There are four types of lupus.
Types of lupus
All four lupus types involve damage to the body's organs. But they may have different causes, affect different organs, cause different symptoms, and have different treatments.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
SLE is the most common and serious type of lupus. It is a long-term (chronic) disease that can range from mild to life-threatening. It can affect a person's:
- Joints.
- Skin.
- Brain.
- Lungs.
- Kidneys.
- Blood vessels.
There is no cure for this type of lupus, but medical treatments and lifestyle changes can help control it.
Cutaneous lupus
Cutaneous lupus is a long-term disease in which the immune system attacks the skin, causing a rash or swelling (lesions). This type of lupus usually appears where the skin is exposed to sun. There is no cure. However, there are medicines and lifestyle changes—like limiting sun exposure—that can help control it.
Drug-induced lupus
Drug-induced lupus is similar to SLE but the cause of the disease is an overreaction to certain medications. Symptoms usually occur 3 to 6 months after starting a medication. This condition disappears once the medicine is stopped.
Neonatal lupus
Neonatal lupus occurs when a developing baby is exposed to lupus in the womb, during pregnancy. It can cause skin, liver, or blood problems, which can be treated at—or even before—birth. This kind of lupus usually goes away by age 6 months.
However, it can cause serious health problems. The most serious problem—congenital heart block—can be fatal. Infants with the condition may need a pacemaker, which is a battery-operated device to prevent the heart from beating too slowly.