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.