Lupus is a long-term disease in which the immune system of your body attacks the organs and tissues. This disease causes pain and inflammation that affect several body parts such as blood cells, joints, lungs, skin, heart, etc. It affects women aged between 15 and 45. Are you interested to know more about Lupus symptoms and treatments? Read along to explore vast details about Lupus disease. 

Types of Lupus 

There are several types of lupus such as neonatal lupus, drug-induced lupus, systematic lupus erythematosus, and cutaneous lupus. Let’s see a detailed view of each lupus type separately. 

Systematic Lupus Erythematosus 

Systematic lupus erythematosus is one of the common forms of lupus seen among 70% of people. SLE (Systematic Lupus Erythematosus) affects multiple systems and organs throughout your body. The symptoms of this type of lupus vary for each person and change over time. An individual with lupus has no symptoms at the time of remission. The new symptoms may appear once the disease is active.

Drug-induced Lupus 

Certain medications are the primary cause of drug-induced lupus (DIL). A few medications associated with DIL include minocycline, procainamide, hydralazine, and isoniazid. You can see this lupus appearance after months or years of constant treatment. 

Neonatal Lupus 

This rare autoimmune disorder develops skin eruption and red rashes in infants. Mothers diagnosed with lupus during pregnancy pass on the antibodies to the newborn. Few infants face congenital heart block which results in the usage of pacemakers.

Cutaneous Lupus 

This type of lupus infects the skin of an individual and develops sensitive skin issues. Hair loss is one of the skin lupus symptoms that you should not ignore. 

Lupus Symptoms 

You might experience a wide range of symptoms if you have lupus. The symptoms of lupus develop slowly and may be temporary, severe, or permanent. Also, it overlaps with other medical conditions you are experiencing. What is usually the first sign of lupus? A few lists of lupus symptoms are specified below. 

  • Sensitivity to sunlight
  • Unusual hair loss
  • Depression
  • Red rash across cheeks and nose
  • Dry eyes
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Memory problems
  • Fever and Fatigue
  • Chest pain due to shortness of breath

Treatment

A lot of home remedies and treatments are helpful for the management of lupus. Treatments vary for each person depending upon the type of lupus. In some instances, doctors prescribe medications to cure complications that arise in individuals with lupus. A few common treatments of lupus are specified below. 

  • Corticosteroids and immune suppressants: These consist of medications and high-dose corticosteroids that suppress the immune system. This treatment focuses on a vital part of the immune system to control inflammation. 
  • Hydroxychloroquine: An antimalarial drug that treats arthritis symptoms can treat rashes in lupus. It helps treat mouth sores, fatigue, and skin diseases. 
  • Belimumab: The Food and Drug Administration approved this biological agent to treat Systematic lupus erythematosus. This medication is helpful to reduce the white blood cell activity that makes autoantibodies. 

Early signs of lupus affect each one differently. You must reach out to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms of lupus. Few cases make it challenging for doctors to diagnose. However, early detection and treatment are essential to contain this disease