What is a flare?

Symptoms of many autoimmune diseases tend to increase during the active phases of the disease, and lessen or even go away during periods of remission. The term ‘flare’ refers to periods of active disease, during which symptoms can return or new symptoms develop. Flares sometimes seem to come out of nowhere, but are also often triggered by environmental factors such as injury, stress, or infection. Anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive drugs are used to treat flares and bring about remission.