I'm recently diagnosed and have access to medical databases through my work (I'm a retired professor and sociologist). I've spent a lot of time looking around the internet for documented triggers and "common wisdom" about triggers. Even the AI generated response above says discusses "documented triggers" like detergents. There is almost NO research about triggers for lupus flares. I can't even find research documenting the correlation bertween the most common "triggers" like sun exposure, overexertion, etc. and flares. It's really disappointing. Perhaps we are all stuck finding our individual triggers since no one seems to be researching this important question.

Rachel, some experts believe that an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce symptoms, and a plant-based (or at least Mediterranean) diet can help. A British study a few years ago showed our symptoms improve with dairy elimination and eating more plant foods (fruits/veggies/lentils/beans), and I have found a plant-based diet effective personally. I have had a few of my patients with cutaneous lupus who had tremendous improvement by eliminating dairy.

Rachel, For some reason, your question to me never showed up! It's casein in milk that is inflammatory, but animal products in general are more inflammatory than plant foods.

Thanks for your reply Niranjana. I have coeliac so am already strictly gluten free. I have wondered about trying the AIP diet
Re dairy, Is it ̄lactose or casein that is the prob̄em? Because I stick to low or zero lactose.