12 Symptoms of Lupus

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Paige Greenfield Fowler on April 11, 2023

Lupus can strike many areas of the body from the skin, to the joints and internal organs. The symptoms of lupus can range from mild to severe, and they affect people differently.

Not everyone with lupus will experience all these symptoms. Read on to view a list of the most commonly noted symptoms of lupus.

  • woman-holding-hand
    1. Joint Pain
    Most people with lupus report pain in their joints as one of the first symptoms of the disease. You may also experience pain, inflammation, or weakness in your muscles.
  • young woman with hand on chest and concern on face and trouble breathing
    2. Chest Pain
    Lupus can cause inflammation that can affect your organs and lead to serious problems. Symptoms such as chest pain could be a sign of inflammation around the lungs, in the heart, or in the membrane surrounding the heart. Pneumonia is also a sign that lupus has affected the lungs.
  • doctor-holding-up-model-of-a-kidney
    3. Kidney Problems
    Lupus can cause inflammation of the kidneys and affect their ability to rid your body of toxins and other waste. Symptoms include blood in the urine; urinating frequently, especially at night; and unexplained swelling in the feet, legs, fingers, and arms. Untreated, it can cause permanent damage. Your doctor can check for kidney issues with urine or blood tests.
  • Butterfly rash
    4. Butterfly Rash
    Also called a malar rash, it appears over the cheeks and nose in the shape of a butterfly. It may become worse after sun exposure, so be careful to protect your skin with sunscreen and a hat. Typically, the butterfly rash does not itch.
  • rash on elbow
    5. Other Types of Rashes
    About 2/3 of people with lupus experience some form of skin involvement. You might develop rashes on your face, ears, arms, shoulders, chest, or hands. These rashes are often raised, scaly, and red, but they may not be itchy.

    Read more about lupus rashes and how they differ from rosacea.
  • Woman wearing sun hat
    6. Sensitivity to Light
    Many people with lupus are photosensitive, meaning they develop rashes in response to sunlight. If you already have a rash, the sun may make it worse.
  • Close-up of Caucasian person's hand with Raynaud's phenomenon on ring finger
    7. Blue Fingers
    Some people with lupus develop recurrent episodes of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. This causes blood vessels in their fingers to narrow. As a result, blood can't reach the skin's surface, and the fingers turn blue or white when cold. When blood flow returns, the skin may turn red, and you may feel a throbbing or tingling sensation.
  • canker sores
    8. Oral or Nasal Sores or Lesions
    About 95 percent of people with lupus develop sores or lesions inside their mouth or nose. These oral lesions are more likely if you experience dry mouth.

    Read more about lupus mouth sores.
  • Hairbrush
    9. Hair Loss
    Some people with lupus experience hair loss, or hair thinning, as the disease attacks the hair follicles.

    Read more about lupus and hair loss.
  • Woman in bed
    10-12. Fever, Headache, and Fatigue
    Lupus can cause more subtle symptoms that are easy to brush off as something less serious. These include fever, headache, hair loss, and fatigue. Be sure to let your doctor know when you don't feel well so he or she can determine what's really affecting your health.
12 Symptoms of Lupus
  1. Lupus symptoms. https://www.lupus.org/resources/common-symptoms-of-lupus
  2. How does lupus affect the renal (kidney) system? Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/lupus-and-kidneys
  3. How does lupus affect the musculoskeletal system? Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/joint-muscle-pain-in-lupus
  4. Why is exercise so important in managing lupus, and what exercises could I do with lupus? Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/exercise-and-lupus
  5. What is photosensitivity? Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/what-is-photosensitivity
  6. Are there various forms of lupus? Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/forms-of-lupus
  7. Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp
  8. Raynaud’s Disease.  MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/raynaudsdisease.html

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Last Review Date: 2022 Sep 14
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