The following are potential symptoms that may be present in lupus,
along with what might be causing those symptoms. Not everyone with
lupus will have these symptoms, no two lupus patients are the same.
Many of the causes listed are rare, but any new or unexplained symptoms
should always be checked out by your physician. Please note that
these symptoms could also be caused by other conditions other than
lupus.
| Symptoms |
Possible causes |
| Rash on cheeks/nose |
Classic 'butterfly' rash seen in
SLE. |
| Scaly, disk shaped scarring rash |
Discoid lupus, which can appear on
it's own, or as part of SLE. |
| Itching/burning rash |
Subacute cutaneous lupus. Hives. |
| Mouth/nose ulcers |
A common symptom of SLE. |
| Easy bruising |
Could indicate low platelet count. |
| Alopecia (hair loss) |
Part of SLE/DLE, but can also be caused by steroids, cytotoxics
or infection. |
| Joint pain/swelling |
Inflammation of the lining of the joint caused by lupus. |
| Muscle aches/tenderness |
Inflammation caused by lupus, can also be caused by fibromyalgia. |
| Fatigue |
A very common lupus symptom. Can also indicate other things
such as anaemia or infection. |
| Fever |
A common lupus symptom, caused by inflammation or infection.
Pericarditis, myocarditis. Vasculitis.
Pneumonitis. |
| Headache |
Common lupus symptom. Can indicate CNS involvement.
|
| Bleeding gums |
Could be caused by anaemia. Could
indicate low platelet count. |
| Cold hands/feet |
Raynaud's phenomenon. |
| Pain in chest, relieved by sitting up |
Pericarditis. |
| Short of breath |
Pleurisy. Pericarditis.
Myocarditis. Heart attack. Pneumonitis.
Pulmonary embolism. |
| Swollen legs |
Pericarditis. Venous thrombosis (bloot
clot) |
| Swollen ankles |
Kidney involvement. |
| Chest pain, worse when breathing in |
Pleurisy. |
| Red lace-like rash on arms and legs |
Livedo reticulares, a common symptom of
vasculitis. |
| Weight gain |
Kidney involvement. Steroid side
effect. Result of inflammation. |
| Weight loss |
Could be caused by active lupus. Could indicate problems with
the GI tract. |
| Nausea/vomiting |
Medication side effect. Heart attack. Renal
failure. Could indicate problems with the GI tract. |
| Frequent urination |
Urinary tract infection. |
| Foaming urine |
Kidney involvement. |
| Pain in back, around kidneys |
Urinary tract infection (kidney failure does not produce pain). |
| Confusion |
Could indicate CNS involvement. |
| Seizures |
Could be a result of lupus cerebritis. Possible reaction to
medications. |
| Memory problems |
Common in lupus. Could indicate CNS
involvement, or could be a drug side effect. |
| Dry eyes |
Sjogren's Syndrome. |
| Dry mouth |
Sjogren's Syndrome. |
