Which environmental factors are known to potentially trigger SLE flares?

Environmental factors play a significant role in the exacerbation of symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often termed ‘flares’. Ultraviolet light and infections are two well-documented triggers.

Ultraviolet light can provoke skin lesions, exacerbating the already compromised immune system of individuals with SLE. Exposure to sunlight can lead to photosensitivity, which is a common symptom in these patients. Consequently, SLE patients are often advised to avoid excessive sunlight and to use protective measures such as sunscreen.

Infections can also lead to flares because they can activate the immune system, which is already dysregulated in SLE patients. The response to an infection can cause a surge in inflammation, leading to a worsening of lupus symptoms.

The other environmental factors listed do not have as strong an association with inducing SLE flares. Dietary habits can certainly impact overall health but are not recognized as direct triggers in the same way ultraviolet light and infections are. Cold weather exposure and high-fat food consumption lack the same level of evidence linking them to flare-ups of symptoms in SLE compared to UV exposure and infections.