Lupus erythematosus
Bespoke treatments to ease your symptoms
Lupus is a chronic condition caused by your immune system attacking your own body by mistake. With proper treatment though, people with lupus can have a normal life.
Talk to our expert clinicians and get bespoke treatment options. Then choose what works best for you and we’ll deliver it right to your door as early as the very next day.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system attacks your own tissues, causing widespread inflammation. It can affect any part of your body, including your skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, brain and so on.
The most common sign of lupus is a red or purple rash extended across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, called a “butterfly rash” or a malar rash. The rash is caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin. It’s usually not itchy or painful.
You might find it interesting to know that the condition got its name from this red rash on the face. The name "lupus" comes from the Latin word for “wolf” because this rash was thought to resemble a wolf bite.
There are 4 types of lupus:
Lupus can affect people of all ages, genders and races. SLE seems to be more common in women than men, with roughly nine women to every one man worldwide. Also, more black people seem to get it.
It seems that lupus is hereditary (can run in families). So if you have relatives with lupus, there's a 5-13 percent chance that you might develop lupus too. However, for mothers who have lupus, only about 5 percent of children will also get it.
Compared to other illnesses, lupus isn’t very common and the number of lupus cases vary wildly depending on where you live. Experts estimate that about 3.41 million people in the world have lupus. In comparison, about 1 in 1000 people have it in the UK, with estimates saying that there are currently around 50,000 people living with lupus in the UK.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
The exact reasons why people develop lupus are not fully understood, and they can vary from person to person. However, here are some factors that have been associated with lupus:
Lupus symptoms come and go, which means you don't experience them all the time. You may have flare-ups when the symptoms worsen, and remissions when the symptoms improve and you feel better.
Common signs of lupus include:
Less common symptoms associated with lupus erythematosus include:
Yes, because lupus can affect various organs in your body, its symptoms can be mistaken for those of another condition. Some of these conditions include:
Most of the time, your doctor will recommend blood tests to differentiate lupus from these conditions.
Inflammation caused by lupus can lead to other health problems including:
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Treatment plans for lupus may vary depending on your symptoms and how severe your condition is. Generally, our clinicians may recommend some of the following medications to reduce inflammation and manage your symptoms:
Medications like rituximab and belimumab are sometimes used to treat severe lupus. These belong to a group of medicines called monoclonal antibodies, which work by targeting specific cells involved in the immune response that leads to the inflammation of lupus.
While there’s no cure for lupus at the moment, it can be managed through careful monitoring and treatment. These can help improve your symptoms, prevent flare-ups and minimise other health issues associated with lupus. With proper care, most people with lupus can lead normal lives.
Lupus erythematosus requires treatment, especially when you experience flare-ups. It won't go away by itself, and if left untreated, it can lead to blood disorders like anaemia or blood clots (which are potentially life-threatening).
There are other potential serious complications as well, such as digestive problems that might cause difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, indigestion, inflammation in the intestines, enlargement of the liver, or pain when vomiting or feeling nauseous. Which is why it's important to seek medical attention and get the necessary treatment to manage these issues.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
The worldwide incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review of epidemiological studies. Rheumatology, 56(11), pp.1945–1961.
Global epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus: a comprehensive systematic analysis and modelling study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Causes of Lupus : Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. [online] Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.
The risks of cancer development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 20, 270.
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