Lupus is a complex and poorly understood condition that affects many parts of the body. The symptoms can range from mild to life threatening.
The term “lupus” is most often used to describe a more severe form of the condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
There are several other types of lupus that just affect the skin, including:
- Discoid lupus erythematosus
- Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Some medications can also cause lupus-like side effects, known as drug-induced lupus.
SLE can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on the areas of the body affected.
Many people have long periods with few or no symptoms before experiencing a sudden flare-up, where their symptoms are particularly severe.
SLE is an autoimmune condition, which means it’s caused by problems with the immune system.