Disclaimer: This article has been researched using reputable medical sources but was not written by a healthcare professional. We hope it can help you start taking action toward better health, but meeting with a healthcare provider is recommended for guidance specific to your diagnosis and treatment.
When people hear the word “lupus,” they often picture one single condition. In reality, lupus is a family of related autoimmune conditions, and doctors generally recognize four forms overall.¹ But for most people, understanding the two main types of lupus is the most useful starting point: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Together, these two account for the vast majority of lupus cases people encounter.¹
This guide breaks down what makes these two types of lupus different, what symptoms to watch for with each, and how they can sometimes overlap.
Why It Helps to Understand the Types of Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissue.² Depending on the type, that attack can be limited to the skin or can affect organs throughout the body, which is why lupus symptoms can look so different from one person to the next.
Knowing which type of lupus you may be dealing with, or whether both are present, helps guide what kind of doctor you see, what tests are used, and what treatment approach makes sense.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Explained
SLE is the most common and most well-known form of lupus, making up roughly 70% of all lupus cases.³ Unlike cutaneous lupus, SLE can affect multiple organs and systems throughout the body, including the:²
- Joints
- Skin
- Kidneys
- Heart
- Lungs
- Brain and nervous system
- Blood cells
Common symptoms of SLE include joint pain and swelling, extreme fatigue, fever with no clear cause, a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, chest pain when breathing deeply, and sensitivity to sunlight.² Because SLE can affect so many different organs, its symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions, which can make diagnosis take longer than expected.
SLE most commonly develops in women between the ages of 15 and 44, though it can occur at any age and in men as well.²
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) Explained
CLE is a form of lupus that is limited to the skin.⁴ People with CLE may never develop symptoms elsewhere in the body, though some go on to develop SLE over time.
CLE is generally broken into three subtypes:⁴
- Acute cutaneous lupus: Causes the classic butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks, and is almost always associated with SLE.
- Subacute cutaneous lupus: Causes ring-shaped or scaly rashes, often on the back, chest, shoulders, or neck, usually triggered by sun exposure.
- Chronic cutaneous lupus (including discoid lupus): Causes long-lasting, disc-shaped, scarring lesions, most often on the face and scalp. Discoid lupus is the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus.
All forms of CLE tend to be triggered or worsened by UV light exposure, which is why sun protection is a major part of managing this type.⁴
Can You Have Both Systemic and Cutaneous Lupus?
Yes. It is possible to have both SLE and a form of CLE at the same time, and in fact, acute cutaneous lupus (the butterfly rash) is considered a direct symptom of SLE in most cases.⁴ Someone can also be diagnosed with CLE alone, with no signs of systemic involvement, though their doctor may continue to monitor for SLE symptoms over time.
Other, Less Common Types of Lupus
Beyond SLE and CLE, there are two additional, much less common types of lupus worth knowing about:¹
- Drug-induced lupus: A lupus-like condition triggered by certain prescription medications. Symptoms typically improve after stopping the medication.
- Neonatal lupus: A rare condition affecting infants born to mothers with certain lupus-related antibodies. It is not the same as SLE and often resolves on its own within the first several months of life.
Why Lupus Often Goes Undiagnosed, Especially in Black Women
Lupus, in any form, disproportionately affects Black women, who are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than white women and are more likely to experience serious complications.⁵ Symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and rashes are often mistaken for other conditions, which can delay an accurate diagnosis for years.
Because lupus symptoms overlap so heavily with other illnesses, persistent or unexplained symptoms are worth bringing back to a doctor, even after an initial visit doesn’t turn up answers.
Self-Advocacy Language For Readers
If you are trying to figure out whether your symptoms could be lupus, try using these words with your doctor:
- “I’ve had these symptoms for a while and nothing has explained them. Could this be lupus or another autoimmune condition?”
- “I have a skin rash that keeps coming back, especially after sun exposure. Could this be cutaneous lupus?”
- “Should I be referred to a rheumatologist or dermatologist to look into this further?”
- “If I have cutaneous lupus, does that mean I could develop systemic lupus too?”
How the NOWINCLUDED Community Can Help You
Lupus can look different from person to person, which is part of why it’s so often misunderstood, and so often missed. You deserve clear answers about what’s happening in your body, no matter which form of lupus you may be dealing with.
Inside your NOWINCLUDED account, you can find trusted, culturally aware health education and real community support for navigating lupus and other autoimmune conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the 2 main types of lupus?
A: The two most common types of lupus are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can affect organs throughout the body, and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), which is limited to the skin.
Q: What is the difference between SLE and CLE?
A: SLE can affect multiple organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain, while CLE primarily causes skin rashes and lesions. Some people with CLE go on to develop SLE, while others only ever experience skin-related symptoms.
Q: Is discoid lupus the same as systemic lupus?
A: No. Discoid lupus is a form of chronic cutaneous lupus that affects only the skin. It is different from systemic lupus erythematosus, though a small number of people with discoid lupus may go on to develop SLE.
Q: Can cutaneous lupus turn into systemic lupus?
A: Some people with cutaneous lupus go on to develop systemic lupus, but many people with CLE never develop symptoms beyond the skin. Regular monitoring with a doctor can help catch any changes early.
Q: Are there other types of lupus besides SLE and CLE?
A: Yes. Drug-induced lupus, caused by certain medications, and neonatal lupus, a rare condition affecting infants, are both recognized types, though they are far less common than SLE and CLE.
References
- Lupus Foundation of America. (2024). The Four Different Types of Lupus. Retrieved from Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/resources/the-four-different-types-of-lupus
- CDC. (2024, May 22). What Is Lupus?. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/lupus/about/index.html
- Autoimmune Registry. (2025). What Are the Different Types of Lupus?. Retrieved from Autoimmune Registry: https://www.autoimmuneregistry.org/newsletters/what-are-the-different-types-of-lupus
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 3). Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21808-discoid-lupus
- Lupus Foundation of America. (2024). Lupus Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupus-facts-and-statistics
