Lupus site(SLE)- information on systemic lupus

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.

Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Symptoms list