Lupus

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus causes swelling, pain, and tissue damage throughout can different systems in your body— including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

Donor requirements for participation:

• You must be clinically diagnosed by a medical professional. Confirmation of the diagnosis and/or treatment must be verified with your physician.
• Be pre-screened to determine eligibility.
• You’re willing to donate blood, plasma, or white blood cells through the apheresis process.
• You must have a photo ID and be able to provide your social security number or proof of citizenship.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must weight at least 110 lbs.
• You must disclose if you have ever been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and/or HIV.

For questions and concerns about requirements or participation, contact us at (833) GO-4-CURE.

Symptoms

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.

Since no two cases are alike, the symptoms are widespread and will depend on the body system in which lupus is targeting:

• Fatigue and fever
• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches, confusion and memory loss

Treatment

Treatment for lupus will depend on the signs and symptoms presented. Common medications used to control lupus include NSAIDs, antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.

This information is not meant for clinical diagnosis, but as an educational resource derived from Mayo Clinic.