Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is very complex and with it come along a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, occurring as flare-ups, when least expected. Some of the most common symptoms seen are the extreme tiredness and fatigue. There is a lot of pain and swelling that affects the joints, as well as rashes on the skin as well as high fever. There is a common rash with lupus called the “butterfly rash”. This shows up across the nose and cheeks resembling the shape of a butterfly. There may be other rashes showing up in other parts of the body, usually in the upper body such as the face, ears, scalp, neck, arms and shoulders, hands, across the chest and/or back.
There are other symptoms that may be present such as chest pain. Lupus can create a sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss or thinning, anemia and paleness in the skin. Symptoms such as headaches and vertigo are also common as well as poor vision and concentration. It may also bring on depression and even seizures along with fainting.
Even though this disease is progressive, the time frame and the symptoms are very unpredictable and may come and go without expectation. Symptoms may also change over time as the disease progresses, changing in their duration and intensity. Lupus can affect the organs as well, but thankfully, this is not that common and will affect very few organs.
Below I will list the most common symptoms of Lupus and the frequency of these symptoms.
Pain and aching in joints, 95%
High fever above 100 degrees F, 90%
Arthritis and swelling in the joints, 90%
Prolonged fatigue, 81%
Skin Rash, 74%
Anemia, 71%
Kidney problems, 50%
Chest pain when deep breathing (pleurisy) 45%
Butterfly rash, 42%
Sensitivity to light, 30%
Hair loss/ Alopecia, 27%
Problems with blood clotting, 20%
Raynauds phenomenon (this is when your fingers turn white or blue when cold), 17%
Seizures and fainting, 15%
Ulcers in the mouth or nose, 12%
If you have any of these symptoms of lupus, contact your physician immediately to seek help.
