What causes a Lupus rash? and what does it mean?
Does it mean that you are having a flareup or is it just
a symptom that can pop up?

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I've had lupus for over 14 years. I personally have found stress causes my rash (around my eyes usually) to come out. Also, exposure to the sun can do it too. My doctor has told me that rashes mean flare mode.....

What does a "flare up" mean?

Hello,

A "flare up" simply put means that a person is having lots of Lupus symptoms with blood work (sometimes)indicating that Lupus is active. A flare can include things like kidney inflammation, eyesight problems or even things as simple as an increase in fatigue etc.

Flares can be triggered by many things such as stress, infection, lack of sleep/rest etc. To get out of a flare, we usually get put on Prednisone (which is a steroid) to help calm down the immune system which when we are in a flare will be working overtime, attacking itself!

Flares are not fun, and some people stay in one for a few years!! I have been in one for 2 years, and hope that soon I will be better again. Hope this helps!

~Angelic

Thanks for the info,

I know she has been stressed out but now she is even more depressed because she is worried about the lupus flare.