I am sort of a lupus veteran. I was diagnosed with lupus 13 years ago. I have controlled my disease extremely well and am currently on no medications for it. I have a very strong family history of lupus and other autoimmune disease. I believe that the reason I have been able to maintain greater health than other family members with the disease probably has something to do with the fact that from the very beginning I learned everything I could about the disease and was very serious about taking care of myself. I also didn't have responsibility for taking care of anyone else but me for my first 7 years of having lupus which made it easier.
Hormones, allergies/food sensitivities, and lifestyle habits that increase or decrease inflammation all have a dramatic impact on the disease. For me: acupuncture, a largely plant based diet, IgG food hypersensitivity testing (which showed lots of foods I shouldn't eat), and significantly reducing consumption of sugar, have all been central to my successful management of the disease.
There are lots of things you can do to manage symptoms, in addition to taking medication, as well. But ultimately it is best to take control of the disease. It is also really important to read a lot about the disease and pay careful attention to your bloodtesting and the way you feel day to day so that you learn your triggers. ersed in the state of their health than anyone else.
And lupus both affects hair and is affected by hair care. I stopped being able to wear extension braids without a horrible allergic reaction. I used no chemicals in my hair when I was first diagnosed, and only started mild texturizing about a year ago (twice a year) which hasn't bothered me. Haircare products with Burdock will make me flare, and of course ones with Alfalfa since Alfalfa is like the worst thing in the world for people with Lupus. One thing to think about also is this: For me, burns cause flares. I mean, if I get a burn, I will have arthritis, mouth sores, etc. within 2 days. There is no way I could wear hairstyles that require flat irons or hot combs. I don't know how common this is, but it might be relevant.