Lupus

Lupus is a condition that causes inflammation throughout your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system damages your body instead of protecting it. You may experience symptoms throughout your body depending on where your autoimmune system damages tissue, including in your:

• Skin.
• Blood.
• Joints.
• Kidneys.
• Brain.
• Heart.
• Lungs.

Visit a healthcare provider if you notice new pain, rashes or changes to your skin, hair or eyes.

Types of lupus

Healthcare providers sometimes call lupus systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It’s the most common type of lupus, and means you have lupus throughout your body. Other types include:

• Cutaneous lupus erythematous: Lupus that only affects your skin.
• Drug-induced lupus: Some medications trigger lupus symptoms as a side effect. It’s usually temporary and might go away after you stop taking the medication that caused it.
• Neonatal lupus: Babies are sometimes born with lupus. Babies born to biological parents with lupus aren’t certain to have lupus, but they might have an increased risk.