How many types of lupus are there?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissues. There are actually several types of lupus, with the most commonly recognized forms being systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus affects multiple organ systems and presents a wide range of symptoms, while discoid lupus primarily affects the skin, presenting as rashes. Drug-induced lupus results from certain medications and typically resolves after discontinuing their use. Neonatal lupus can occur in newborns whose mothers have certain autoantibodies.

Each of these types has distinct features and management strategies, making the classification of lupus more complex than just one or two types. Hence, recognizing that there are four main categories of lupus provides a clearer understanding of this autoimmune disease's breadth and the need for tailored treatment approaches for each type.