There are over 100 autoimmune conditions, including celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis. These occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the human body.

This statistic comes from the Autoimmune Association.

Autoimmune diseases are common, affecting more than 23.5 millionTrusted Source people in the United States. Females and those with a family history of autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop them.

This article provides a list of autoimmune diseases and their symptoms.

A headshot of Jokiva Bellard holding her hands to her face, showing lesions on her body, in Sunset, Louisiana on 30 September 2017. DESPITE being plagued by burn-like lesions all over her body, this fiery aspiring model loves every inch of her skin. At just 23-years-old, Jokiva Bellard is a regular at her local A&E, thanks to countless visits caused by the debilitating autoimmune disease mistakenly attacking healthy tissue - lupus. The autoimmune disease comes in many forms, with most sufferers experiencing mild symptoms, but for those who suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it can be life-threatening. When Jokiva, from Sunset, Louisiana, was first diagnosed while studying, she thought that she could just carry on as normal, but she swiftly found out that the disease would change her life forever. After her kidneys failing landed her in A&E, Jokiva lost 50 lbs in just 10 days and realised that she had to take the disease seriously. After liveblogging an A&E experience on Facebook, Jokiva has used her online presence to raise awareness of lupus and to celebrate her unique beauty - blisters and all. PHOTOGRAPH BY Claire Bangser / Barcroft Images (Photo credit should read Claire Bangser / Barcroft Media via Getty Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)Share on Pinterest
Most people with an autoimmune disease can live a relatively normal life.
Image credit: Claire Bangser / Barcroft Media via Getty Images.

The following sections will discuss some autoimmune conditions affecting the skin.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis causes patches of flaky, inflamed skin. This occurs due to the skin producing too many new skin cells. Psoriasis is usually not a serious condition, but it can be painful or distressing.

The symptoms of psoriasis includeTrusted Source:

  • thick, inflamed patches of skin, usually on the head, elbows, and knees
  • scaly skin
  • itching
  • pain
  • poor sleep quality

People with psoriasis sometimes also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint inflammation. This affects roughly 20%Trusted Source of people with psoriasis.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic condition that causes the skin to lose its color. One type of vitiligo, called non-segmental vitiligo, is an autoimmune disease.

Dermatologists believe that it occurs when the immune system attacks melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin.

It is not uncommon for vitiligo to occur alongside other autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome.

The symptoms of vitiligo include:

  • white or light patches of skin on the hands, feet, arms, and face
  • white or gray hair on the scalp, brows, or eyelashes
  • discoloration on the inside of the mouth and nose

Vitiligo is not harmful to the body, but it can be very distressing for some people, especially those with darker skin. Certain treatments can slow or stop the discoloration, including medications and UV light therapy.

Scleroderma

Scleroderma causes an abnormal growth of connective tissue in the skin and blood vessels, leading to skin that is hard and thick.

In some people, the condition is mild, but in others, scleroderma can affect internal organs and be life threatening.

Symptoms include:

  • Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes the fingers to change color when they are cold
  • calcium deposits in the connective tissues
  • thickening and tightness of the skin on the fingers and toes
  • loss of motility in the esophagus, which may make it difficult to swallow
  • red spots or blood vessels on the face
  • progressive shortness of breath
  • ulcers on the fingertips, which can lead to gangrene

There is currently no cure for scleroderma. Treatment is directed at managing symptoms and complications. Sometimes, a doctor may also recommend immunosuppressants, especially for fibrosing (scarring) lung disease.

The following sections will discuss some autoimmune conditions affecting the blood.

Hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia occurs when the immune system destroys a person’s red blood cells. This causes an oxygen deficiency, leading to symptoms such asTrusted Source:

Doctors treat hemolytic anemiaTrusted Source with corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, and immunosuppressant drugs, which lower immune system activity.

A doctor might also consider a splenectomy, which refers to the surgical removal of the spleen. The spleen removes damaged red blood cells from circulation, so by removing it, a person is less likely to have low red blood cell levels.

However, autoimmune processes can also affect other blood cells. When they affect platelets, it can lead to thrombocytopenia. When they affect white blood cells, it can give rise to leukopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia.

The following sections will discuss some autoimmune conditions affecting the digestive system.

Celiac disease

In celiac disease, a person’s immune system reacts to gluten, which is a protein that foods such as bread, pasta, and barley contain.

If a person with celiac disease eats gluten, they may experienceTrusted Source:

Repeated exposure to gluten may damage the intestinal lining. However, most people with celiac disease can prevent these symptoms by removingTrusted Source sources of gluten from their diet.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, giving rise to pain and irritation.

The most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

People with IBD, specifically CD, may see an improvement in symptoms and their quality of life by changing their eating habits. Medications such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants — including biologics — can also help. Meanwhile, a total colectomy may cure a person of UC.

The following sections will discuss some autoimmune conditions affecting the hormones.

Type 1 diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels.

Without the hormone, a person’s blood sugar level remains high, causing symptoms such asTrusted Source:

People with type 1 diabetes can manage the condition with daily insulin injections to balance out the amount of carbohydrates they eat.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, a person cannot prevent type 1 diabetes by making diet or lifestyle changes. However, monitoring diet and exercise levels can help reduce symptoms.

Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease causes the thyroid gland to become overactive and produce too much thyroid hormone. This can cause a range of symptoms, includingTrusted Source:

There are several treatment options for Graves’ disease. Antithyroid medications can lower thyroid hormone levels, and radioactive iodine damages the thyroid cells so that they do not produce as much hormone. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend removing part or all of the thyroid gland.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce less thyroid hormone.

This usually leads to an underactive thyroid, which causes symptoms such asTrusted Source:

  • fatigue
  • hair loss
  • muscle aches
  • facial swelling
  • constipation
  • weakness
  • weight gain
  • heavy menstrual periods
  • sensitivity to cold
  • joint pain

The main treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a daily dose of levothyroxine, which increases thyroid hormone levels.

The following sections will discuss some autoimmune conditions affecting the nervous system.

Multiple sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath that protects the nerves. This causes damage, affecting the transmission of information to and from the brain and spinal cord and the nerves they connect with.

The symptoms of MS includeTrusted Source:

  • paralysis
  • tremors
  • weakness in the extremities
  • difficulty with coordination, balance, speaking, and walking
  • numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, and feet
  • vision loss

There is currently no cure for MS, but some medications may reduce the symptoms and the underlying disease process. The type of medication that the condition responds to will vary from case to case.

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome occurs when the immune system attacks healthy nerves, disrupting the electrical signals the nerves send to the brain. This may causeTrusted Source:

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare condition that can be severe, but with medical support, recovery is possible.

To treat and prevent further nerve damage, a doctor may use plasma exchange, high dose immunoglobulin therapy, and high dose steroids.

The following sections will discuss some autoimmune conditions affecting the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints (synovium), causing inflammation and discomfort. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many jointsTrusted Source, but it commonly affects the hands, wrists, and knees on both sides of the body.

Symptoms include:

  • pain or aching in the joints
  • stiffness in multiple joints, especially in the morning
  • tenderness and swelling
  • fever
  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • weight loss
  • eye inflammation
  • lung disease
  • lumps of tissue under the skin, often near the elbows (rheumatoid nodules)
  • anemia

Doctors tend to treat this condition using antirheumatic drugs, including biologics, that slow disease progression and prevent joint deformity.

Below are frequently asked questions relating to autoimmune conditions.

What triggers autoimmune disease?

There are over 100 autoimmune diseases, often with varying triggers. However, infections, exposure to irritants, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity are common triggers.

Can you live a long life with an autoimmune disease?

With proper treatment and management techniques, many autoimmune diseases are not fatal, and people can expectTrusted Source to live long, active lives.

Can a dermatologist diagnose an autoimmune disease?

Autoimmune diseases can present in different ways and vary in ease of diagnosis.

Certain diseases, such as psoriasis and scleroderma, primarily affect the skin, and dermatologists may be able to diagnose these.

However, other conditions may require input from several healthcare professionals to reach a correct diagnosis.

What are the most common autoimmune diseases?

There are more than 100 known autoimmune diseases. Some of the most well-known autoimmune diseasesTrusted Source include:

  • multiple sclerosis
  • type 1 diabetes
  • psoriasis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • lupus

What does an autoimmune flare-up feel like?

Symptoms of an autoimmune flare-up will depend on the body area it affects. For example, rheumatoid arthritis flares will cause pain and swelling in joints, while psoriasis flares may cause swelling and scaling on the skin.

There are many autoimmune diseases. Some cause distressing symptoms that affect a person’s quality of life but otherwise are not life threatening. Other autoimmune conditions are more serious and can cause lasting tissue damage.

In many cases, management strategies such as taking medication, modifying the diet, and making lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms.

A doctor can help diagnose and recommend treatments for specific autoimmune conditions.