Lupus Triggers

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune disorder.

9 out of 10 people living with lupus are women.

Lupus symptoms can change over time and can vary from person to person.

Symptoms may:

Be mild or severe

Come and go

Last a short or long time

Lupus flares

Flares or flare-ups are when lupus symptoms worsen or a new symptom appears.

Symptoms of a flare might include:

• Fever or flu-like symptoms not from an infection
• Joint pain or swelling
• Fatigue
• Rash, tingling or numbness in the skin
• Sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose
• Swelling in the legs

Lupus triggers

Some common triggers that cause lupus symptoms for the first time or worsen existing symptoms include:

• Sunlight & Certain Indoor Light
  • Fluorescent or halogen lightbulbs
  • Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning booths

• Medications
  • Birth control pills
  • Hormone therapy
Some medications, such as hydralazine, procainamide or quinidine, can cause drug-induced lupus.

• Physical Stress
  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Major physical changes to the body like pregnancy
• Infections or Illness
  • Parvovirus
  • Herpes zoster
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Certain bacterial infections

• Emotional Stress
  • Caregiving
  • Job stress
  • Financial concerns
  • Grief or loss
  • Discrimination and harassment

Childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are strongly associated with lupus.

• Exhaustion or sleep-deprivation

• Air Pollution
  • Smoke
  • Smog
  • Silica dust, ozone and other particulate matter

• Exposure to heavy metals and toxins

• Smoking

• Ultra-processed foods

• Obesity

Tracking your symptoms can help you identify and avoid triggers, and prevent lupus flares.

This educational resource was created with support from Merck.