Last Updated on October 29, 2025
Key Takeaways:
- Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in various organs, including the skin, joints, and kidneys.
- There are four main types: Systemic, Cutaneous, Drug-Induced, and Neonatal Lupus, each with distinct symptoms.
- Early diagnosis and consistent care help prevent flare-ups and protect long-term health.
- Treatments manage symptoms, using medications and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation and improve quality of life.
- Clinical research drives progress. Explore ongoing lupus studies at Metro Boston Clinical Partners to access emerging treatment options.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that begins around the age of 12. It is long-term and the most common type of lupus that attacks its own tissues and organs. However, it also causes inflammation that affects various parts of the body, including your joints, skin, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. This disease primarily affects 1.5 million people worldwide who have some form of lupus. Moreover, in this blog, we’ll explore the types of lupus, their distinct features, how lupus fits within this group, and lupus clinical trials that help with current treatment approaches to manage the disease effectively.
Overview of Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that healthcare providers diagnose in people of all ages, including kids and adolescents. Just like other autoimmune diseases, lupus causes the immune system to malfunction, and it can affect almost any part of the body, often multiple parts at the same time. It can become challenging to diagnose lupus because its signs and symptoms often overlap with those of other conditions. In addition, the most typical characteristic of lupus is a facial rash unlike rosacea rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly. Some people are born with a tendency to have lupus, which may be triggered by certain drugs, infections, or even sunlight. However, there’s no cure for lupus; several treatments help control symptoms.
The Four Different Types of Lupus
Although lupus doesn’t present the same way in everyone. Instead, it appears in distinct forms, typically four forms. Additionally, each type has unique characteristics, causes, and treatment considerations. Let’s explore the 4 types of lupus and how they affect the body.
1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE):
This type of lupus is one of the most serious and common types of lupus, which attacks multiple organs at once, including the heart, lungs, joints, and nervous system. 70% of SLE cases are found, which affects the system throughout the body. However, it is a severe kind of lupus, and its symptoms vary from mild to severe. In addition, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus also causes inflammation in joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, and many other organs. Furthermore, this inflammation can occur in any of these areas or affect multiple areas simultaneously. It most commonly develops in women between the ages of 15 and 45, but it can also occur in men and children.
Symptoms of SLE:
- Fatigue and fever.
- Sensitivity to sunlight.
- Joint pain or stiffness.
- Swelling and inflammation.
- Chest pain or breathing difficulty.
- Kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis).
Treatment:
Since lupus has no cure, treatment focuses on controlling inflammation, reducing flares, and protecting organs. Moreover, doctors may prescribe:
- Corticosteroids to quickly manage inflammation.
- Immunosuppressants to prevent immune attacks.
- Antimalarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine for skin and joint symptoms.
- Biologic therapies (e.g., belimumab) for resistant cases.
Additionally, lifestyle changes, such as avoiding sun exposure, managing stress, and maintaining a balanced diet, also play a vital role in managing all types of lupus in the long term.
2. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)
It is a type of lupus that primarily affects the skin and typically does not involve internal organs yet still causes discomfort and visible lesions. However, it is one from several types of lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in different body tissues. These types of autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body tissues, particularly your skin cells. Moreover, cutaneous lupus erythematosus manifests as a recognizable rash and often involves itching, swelling, or irritation.
Symptoms of CLE:
- Discoid Lupus (DLE): Thick, round lesions that can scar.
- Red, scaly rashes or patches.
- Sores on the scalp or ears.
- Hair thinning in affected areas.
- Subacute Cutaneous Lupus (SCLE): Ring-shaped rashes often triggered by sunlight.
- Acute Cutaneous Lupus: A butterfly rash on the face, often seen in people with SLE.
Treatment:
- Topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors.
- Oral antimalarial drugs.
- Sun protection to prevent flare-ups.
3. Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus (DILE)
It is caused by certain medications that trigger lupus-like symptoms. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DIL) is an autoimmune phenomenon where the patient develops symptoms like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after exposure to certain drugs. Additionally, it is a temporary condition that resolves once you stop the medications. Thus, it tends to be less severe than SLE; however, it is not entirely similar, but somehow identical to SLE, making the diagnosis challenging.
Symptoms of DLE:
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Fatigue and fever.
- Serositis (inflammation of the heart or lungs).
However, internal organ damage (like kidney disease) is rare in DILE.
Treatment:
Drug Induced Lupus Treatment often includes anti-inflammatory medications to relieve discomfort. Yet you need to discontinue the offending drug. Meanwhile, its symptoms usually fade within weeks or months.
4. Neonatal Lupus
Neonatal Lupus affects newborns whose mothers have specific types of lupus-related antibodies that pass through the placenta during pregnancy. Therefore, it is a condition diagnosed with fetuses and infants. Meanwhile, it typically causes temporary and harmless changes, such as a skin rash, that usually resolve within a year. However, neonatal lupus in adults could solely be the reason it is found when they were born and as a result, they can sometimes affect the heart.
In addition, these antibodies attack healthy tissues and may cause heart damage. If you test positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), there’s a chance your baby will develop neonatal lupus. Monitoring during pregnancy is vital. Moreover, it is a rare immune-mediated disease, particularly affecting the skin and/or heart of a newborn baby with a mother who is positive for anti-SSA (Ro), anti-SSB (La), or anti-U1RNP antibodies.
Symptoms of neonatal lupus include:
- Skin rash appears within weeks of birth.
- Liver abnormalities.
- Low white blood cell counts.
- Rarely, congenital heart block.
Most babies recover completely within a few months as maternal antibodies are eliminated from their system. However, if heart complications occur, close medical follow-up is crucial.
How Types of Lupus Is Diagnosed?
Diagnosing types of lupus can be challenging because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. Moreover, doctors typically use a combination of:
- Blood tests to detect antinuclear antibodies
- Urine tests to check for kidney inflammation
- Physical exams to assess rashes, swelling, and joint tenderness
- Medical history, including family and environmental factors
Living with Lupus:
If you or your loved ones are struggling to live with lupus, it’s necessary to recognize the triggers and adjust for daily life. However, all types of lupus are not a one-size-fits-all condition; it’s a spectrum of autoimmune disorders with diverse symptoms and impacts. Moreover, to effectively manage this condition, it is essential to understand the various types of lupus, which enable earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment, and improved long-term outcomes. At Metro Boston Clinical Partners, knowledge and research empower better outcomes.
Our dedicated team of physicians and clinical researchers in Boston is committed to advancing dermatology and autoimmune care through ethical, high-quality clinical research. Furthermore, each study we conduct aims to bring safer, more effective treatments to patients living with complex conditions, such as types of lupus. If you or someone you know is living with different types of lupus and would like to explore new treatment options, consider participating in a clinical trial with us today.
Key Takeaways:
- Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in various organs, including the skin, joints, and kidneys.
- There are four main types: Systemic, Cutaneous, Drug-Induced, and Neonatal Lupus, each with distinct symptoms.
- Early diagnosis and consistent care help prevent flare-ups and protect long-term health.
- Treatments manage symptoms, using medications and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation and improve quality of life.
- Clinical research drives progress. Explore ongoing lupus studies at Metro Boston Clinical Partners to access emerging treatment options.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that begins around the age of 12. It is long-term and the most common type of lupus that attacks its own tissues and organs. However, it also causes inflammation that affects various parts of the body, including your joints, skin, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. This disease primarily affects 1.5 million people worldwide who have some form of lupus. Moreover, in this blog, we’ll explore the types of lupus, their distinct features, how lupus fits within this group, and lupus clinical trials that help with current treatment approaches to manage the disease effectively.
Overview of Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that healthcare providers diagnose in people of all ages, including kids and adolescents. Just like other autoimmune diseases, lupus causes the immune system to malfunction, and it can affect almost any part of the body, often multiple parts at the same time. It can become challenging to diagnose lupus because its signs and symptoms often overlap with those of other conditions. In addition, the most typical characteristic of lupus is a facial rash unlike rosacea rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly. Some people are born with a tendency to have lupus, which may be triggered by certain drugs, infections, or even sunlight. However, there’s no cure for lupus; several treatments help control symptoms.
The Four Different Types of Lupus
Although lupus doesn’t present the same way in everyone. Instead, it appears in distinct forms, typically four forms. Additionally, each type has unique characteristics, causes, and treatment considerations. Let’s explore the 4 types of lupus and how they affect the body.
1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE):
This type of lupus is one of the most serious and common types of lupus, which attacks multiple organs at once, including the heart, lungs, joints, and nervous system. 70% of SLE cases are found, which affects the system throughout the body. However, it is a severe kind of lupus, and its symptoms vary from mild to severe. In addition, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus also causes inflammation in joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, and many other organs. Furthermore, this inflammation can occur in any of these areas or affect multiple areas simultaneously. It most commonly develops in women between the ages of 15 and 45, but it can also occur in men and children.
Symptoms of SLE:
- Fatigue and fever.
- Sensitivity to sunlight.
- Joint pain or stiffness.
- Swelling and inflammation.
- Chest pain or breathing difficulty.
- Kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis).
Treatment:
Since lupus has no cure, treatment focuses on controlling inflammation, reducing flares, and protecting organs. Moreover, doctors may prescribe:
- Corticosteroids to quickly manage inflammation.
- Immunosuppressants to prevent immune attacks.
- Antimalarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine for skin and joint symptoms.
- Biologic therapies (e.g., belimumab) for resistant cases.
Additionally, lifestyle changes, such as avoiding sun exposure, managing stress, and maintaining a balanced diet, also play a vital role in managing all types of lupus in the long term.
2. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE):
It is a type of lupus that primarily affects the skin and typically does not involve internal organs yet still causes discomfort and visible lesions. However, it is one from several types of lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in different body tissues. These types of autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body tissues, particularly your skin cells. Moreover, cutaneous lupus erythematosus manifests as a recognizable rash and often involves itching, swelling, or irritation.
Symptoms of CLE:
- Discoid Lupus (DLE): Thick, round lesions that can scar.
- Red, scaly rashes or patches.
- Sores on the scalp or ears.
- Hair thinning in affected areas.
- Subacute Cutaneous Lupus (SCLE): Ring-shaped rashes often triggered by sunlight.
- Acute Cutaneous Lupus: A butterfly rash on the face, often seen in people with SLE.
Treatment:
- Topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors.
- Oral antimalarial drugs.
- Sun protection to prevent flare-ups.
3. Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus (DILE):
It is caused by certain medications that trigger lupus-like symptoms. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DIL) is an autoimmune phenomenon where the patient develops symptoms like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after exposure to certain drugs. Additionally, it is a temporary condition that resolves once you stop the medications. Thus, it tends to be less severe than SLE; however, it is not entirely similar, but somehow identical to SLE, making the diagnosis challenging.
Symptoms of DLE:
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Fatigue and fever.
- Serositis (inflammation of the heart or lungs).
However, internal organ damage (like kidney disease) is rare in DILE.
Treatment:
Drug Induced Lupus Treatment often includes anti-inflammatory medications to relieve discomfort. Yet you need to discontinue the offending drug. Meanwhile, its symptoms usually fade within weeks or months.
4. Neonatal Lupus:
Neonatal Lupus affects newborns whose mothers have specific types of lupus-related antibodies that pass through the placenta during pregnancy. Therefore, it is a condition diagnosed with fetuses and infants. Meanwhile, it typically causes temporary and harmless changes, such as a skin rash, that usually resolve within a year. However, neonatal lupus in adults could solely be the reason it is found when they were born and as a result, they can sometimes affect the heart.
In addition, these antibodies attack healthy tissues and may cause heart damage. If you test positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), there’s a chance your baby will develop neonatal lupus. Monitoring during pregnancy is vital. Moreover, it is a rare immune-mediated disease, particularly affecting the skin and/or heart of a newborn baby with a mother who is positive for anti-SSA (Ro), anti-SSB (La), or anti-U1RNP antibodies.
Symptoms of neonatal lupus include:
- Skin rash appears within weeks of birth.
- Liver abnormalities.
- Low white blood cell counts.
- Rarely, congenital heart block.
Most babies recover completely within a few months as maternal antibodies are eliminated from their system. However, if heart complications occur, close medical follow-up is crucial.
How Types of Lupus Is Diagnosed?
Diagnosing types of lupus can be challenging because its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. Moreover, doctors typically use a combination of:
- Blood tests to detect antinuclear antibodies
- Urine tests to check for kidney inflammation
- Physical exams to assess rashes, swelling, and joint tenderness
- Medical history, including family and environmental factors
Living with Lupus:
If you or your loved ones are struggling to live with lupus, it’s necessary to recognize the triggers and adjust for daily life. However, all types of lupus are not a one-size-fits-all condition; it’s a spectrum of autoimmune disorders with diverse symptoms and impacts. Moreover, to effectively manage this condition, it is essential to understand the various types of lupus, which enable earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment, and improved long-term outcomes. At Metro Boston Clinical Partners, knowledge and research empower better outcomes.
Our dedicated team of physicians and clinical researchers in Boston is committed to advancing dermatology and autoimmune care through ethical, high-quality clinical research. Furthermore, each study we conduct aims to bring safer, more effective treatments to patients living with complex conditions, such as types of lupus. If you or someone you know is living with different types of lupus and would like to explore new treatment options, consider participating in a clinical trial with us today.
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