The term lupus is a general name given to a group of several different autoimmune diseases. Even when two people have the same type of lupus, they may exhibit different symptoms and severity of the disease. Each of the lupus types has distinct characteristics.

The most common of lupus types is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is the type of lupus that most people mean when they say that they have lupus. The systemic type of lupus can affect all systems of the body. SLE can affect men, women, and children but it most often strikes women of childbearing age (15-45). Symptoms and/or pain of the systemic lupus types may range from hardly noticeable to very severe and may be limited to skin and joints or may affect lungs, kidneys, blood and other organs as well. Because this type of lupus is a total body disease, it is the most serious of lupus types. Between 60 and 65 percent of patients with SLE develop some time of skin problems. The systemic lupus types is a chronic disease that fluctuates from periods of activity called flares to periods of inactivity called remissions. It is distinguished from the milder lupus types due to the presence of autoantibodies in the blood.

Drug induced lupus types are caused by long-term use of certain prescription drugs. The symptoms of the drug-induced lupus types are similar to the systemic type of lupus. Some drugs that may cause the drug induced lupus types are the anti-seizure medications phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), the high blood pressure medication hydralazine, and procainamide(Procan, Pronestyl), a medication used to treat heart arrhythmia. In addition, hydralazine (Apresoline), methyldopa (Aldomet), quinidine (Quinaglute), and isoniazid (INH) are other drugs that may induce this type of lupus. The positive thing about this type of lupus is that symptoms generally subside after a few days and disappear after only a couple of weeks after discontinuation of the medication.

Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, sometimes called discoid lupus type is of the milder lupus types and causes coin-shaped rashes that are raised, thick, red and scaly, lasting from a few days to several years. These pain and itch-free rashes may cause permanent scarring, discoloration of the skin (white and dark areas) and permanent hair loss if they show up on the scalp. Occasionally, discoid lupus type rashes can develop into skin cancer so a dermatologist should inspect any changes in the lesions. There are two types of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). These are localized (the lupus type where lesions are limited to anywhere above the neck) and generalized (lupus type where lesions can occur both above and below the neck). Patients with the discoid lupus types do not have auto antibodies in the blood, however, 10% of these patients will go on to develop the more serious systemic lupus types. In addition, 20 percent of patients with the systemic lupus type (SLE) have the discoid lupus type (DLE) as their first symptom. The only way to tell if you have the more serious lupus types is to take a blood test, a medical exam and a complete medical history review.

Acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE) is a lupus type that is characterized by a sunburn-like rash of flat red skin that can be localized or generalized. The localized type of lupus presents itself as a butterfly-shaped rash over the face and cheeks. The generalized type of lupus shows up as redness over the arms, legs and body. This type of lupus makes the patient very sensitive to sunlight and rashes normally show up after a patient has been in the sun. Approximately 10% of people with the more serious systemic lupus type (SLE) have SCLE skin lesions as their first symptom.

Neonatal lupus is the lupus types experienced by newborn babies whose mothers have SLE. Neonatal lupus is rare but it can cause heart defects, rashes, low blood counts and abnormal livers in infants. Neonatal type lupus is caused when the mother passes her autoantibodies to her unborn child. A skin rash that shows up in the first two weeks after birth and lasts for about six months characterizes it. Most babies born to mothers with SLE have healthy babies.

The final type of lupus is the pediatric or lupus children type. Childhood lupus has its own set of symptoms and problems.

Each of the lupus types have distinct characteristics and can be put on a continuum from mild to severe. Once you determine which of the lupus types you have, your lupus doctors will develop the best treatment for you.

In addition to the physical treatment, emotional support is also needed. Lupus patients find that having lupus can be a lonely and frightening experience. While lupus is common, few people know much about it, its symptoms or how to deal with a patient suffering from lupus. If you need of support and understanding, or have questions regarding how to define lupus effects on your life or anything pertaining to lupus, a support group or online chat room or forum is a great place to start.
 

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