What is lupus and is it serious?

Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
Updated on December 14, 2024
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Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, which can be very severe in some cases and mild in others. For example, cutaneous lupus erythematosus generally does not involve major organs and usually presents with mild symptoms, primarily affecting the skin and mucous membranes. However, systemic lupus erythematosus can affect significant organs like the kidneys and heart in many patients, often leading to severe medical conditions. Especially, patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and those with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease tend to have a higher mortality rate. If systemic lupus erythematosus is diagnosed, it is crucial to receive standardized treatment early. Typically, treatment involves long-term maintenance with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to control the progression of the disease and reduce the likelihood of mortality.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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What should I do if lupus causes a cold and cough?

When patients with lupus erythematosus experience a cold and cough, we should first conduct a routine blood test to see if it is caused by an infection, and then treat the symptoms accordingly. If the patient has a cough with phlegm, we should first help the patient clear the phlegm to avoid choking. Patients with lupus erythematosus should not take medication at will. If medication is needed to treat the cold and cough, it should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Can people with lupus eat mangoes?

For patients with lupus erythematosus, we recommend caution in consuming mangoes. Mangoes are among the fruits that commonly cause allergies. After allergic reactions, most people develop rashes, and skin redness is a symptom of lupus erythematosus. If an allergy is triggered, it can worsen the redness and may also be confused with the rash associated with lupus patients. We can eat some grapes, as grapes are a nourishing food that promotes health and longevity. We can also eat some watermelons, which are rich in water and act as a natural nutrient solution, containing various nutrients. However, the intake of food should not be excessive.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Can lupus patients get pregnant?

Patients with lupus can conceive normally, but it is not recommended to become pregnant. This is because patients with lupus who become pregnant are prone to miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and poor fetal development in the uterus, especially in patients who are positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. Pregnancy can also aggravate the disease or cause a relapse in lupus patients, and even if the disease is stable, there are cases where the condition worsens during pregnancy or after childbirth. Therefore, it is not recommended for patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus to become pregnant. If the condition has been stable for more than a year after treatment and the patient has been off medication for at least 6 months, then pregnancy can be considered. However, it is important to note that dexamethasone, immunosuppressants, and Tripterygium wilfordii tablets have side effects on the fetus and should be avoided.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Lupus erythematosus taking steroids side effects

Patients with lupus mainly use steroid treatment, but steroids have many side effects during their application, such as increased blood pressure, inducing or exacerbating infections, inducing or aggravating peptic ulcers, necrosis of the femoral head, osteoporosis and vertebral compressive fractures, delaying wound healing in injured patients, increasing blood sugar, etc. Additionally, steroids can cause nervous sensitivity, agitation, insomnia, emotional changes, and even apparent mental symptoms, inducing seizures such as epilepsy. Some patients may also have suicidal tendencies. Therefore, it is necessary to use medication rationally under the guidance of a doctor, reduce the dosage timely, and effectively prevent and treat to minimize the occurrence of side effects. Taking steroids can also lead to weight gain; hair loss is relatively less common. The occurrence of side effects varies among individuals and should be tailored to the patient's specific condition.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Does lupus cause itchy skin?

The rash in patients with lupus erythematosus is generally not noticeably itchy. In patients with lupus erythematosus, the characteristic changes include a butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks. The skin lesions of lupus erythematosus include photosensitivity, hair loss, erythema on the palms and soles and around the nails, discoid lupus, nodular erythematosus, seborrheic dermatitis, livedo reticularis, and Raynaud's phenomenon, among others. Generally, there is no noticeable itching. If significant itching occurs, it suggests an allergy. Itchy rash after immunosuppressive treatment should be monitored for fungal infections. Lupus patients receiving steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, if experiencing unexplained localized skin burning, may be showing early signs of herpes zoster and should seek prompt medical attention at a hospital.