The most common symptoms of lupus are extreme fatigue, skin rashes, joint pain and unexplained fevers.
What are the common symptoms of lupus?
Lupus Fatigue
Approximately 67%–90% of people with lupus identify fatigue as one of their primary symptoms. A number of factors can contribute to fatigue in lupus, including the disease itself, psychological factors, lifestyle factors, and medications.
No matter the cause, it’s clear that fatigue can significantly impact patients’ quality of life, including lessening the ability to function at home and at work.
Why does lupus cause extreme fatigue?
Many factors play a role in extreme fatigue from lupus. These can include inflammation during flares as well as conditions that commonly occur in people with lupus, such as anemia, thyroid problems, vitamin D deficiency, and chronic pain. Fatigue can also come from other health issues like obesity, stress, anxiety and depression, infections, and sleep apnea (a sleep breathing disorder), as well as certain medications, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise. Talk with your doctor about ways to identify what’s contributing to your fatigue and strategies to help manage it.
Malar Rash (Butterfly Rash)
About half of people with lupus experience a characteristic red “malar” rash or color change that may appear across the cheeks and bridge of the nose in the shape of a butterfly. The rash can last from days to weeks and is sometimes painful or itchy. While sunlight is a common trigger, the rash may appear spontaneously or before a disease flare.
Brain Fog (Cognitive Dysfunction)
Cognitive dysfunction is a common neurological symptom of lupus that can affect thinking, memory, and other cognitive functions. Symptoms may be temporary or fluctuate over time, particularly during periods of increased disease activity.
What is lupus brain fog?
Lupus brain fog, or “lupus fog,” refers to symptoms such as trouble thinking clearly or remembering things. It can also involve rushed speech, sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, multitasking, finding words, navigating, or keeping up with conversations. Lupus fog is common, affecting many people with lupus at some point during their lives,, and can worsen during flares or when pain, sleep problems, or depression are present. Lupus fog may worsen then return to normal function many times, but it does not typically progress to severe forms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Joint Pain and Swelling (Arthritis)
Up to 90% of people with lupus experience joint pain or arthritis during the course of their disease. The most common symptoms of arthritis are stiffness and aching, most often in the hands and wrists. Symptoms of arthritis can come and go and move from one joint to another. Pain and stiffness tend to be worse in the morning and improve as the day goes on. People with lupus can also experience pain in the joints without swelling or tenderness, which is referred to as arthralgia.
Is lupus joint pain different from regular arthritis?
Lupus joint pain is usually different from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis – the most common type of arthritis – often causes deep, activity-related aching from wear-and-tear on the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis typically causes more persistent joint inflammation and carries a greater risk of joint erosion and permanent damage. In comparison, lupus-related arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness, but typically with less joint swelling, shorter-lasting symptoms, and less permanent joint damage than these other forms of arthritis.
Sun Sensitivity (Photosensitivity)
Because many people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity), rashes on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, hands, or other areas may develop or worsen following sun exposure. Even brief sun exposure, and in some people, exposure to certain artificial ultraviolet (UV) light sources like fluorescent lighting, can trigger or intensify these skin changes. Recognizing this pattern is important for managing symptoms and protecting the skin.
Fever
Many people with lupus experience recurring, low‑grade fevers that often remain below 101°F (38.3°C). These mild temperature elevations can be an early sign of oncoming illness, a lupus flare, inflammation, or infection. Paying attention to patterns – when temperatures rise, how long they last, and whether new symptoms appear – can help you decide when to contact your doctor. Mild fevers sometimes respond to acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, but any persistent or unusual temperature change should be discussed with your doctor.
Chest Pain
Chest pain can occur when lupus-related inflammation affects tissues in the chest. The underlying cause may involve the lungs, heart, or surrounding structures.
Can lupus cause chest pain when I breathe?
Yes, lupus can cause chest pain when breathing. It can also cause cough or shortness of breath upon exertion. Pleurisy (pleuritis) – inflammation of the lining around the lungs – is one of the most common causes of lupus-related chest pain and often makes deep breaths quite painful. Inflammation around the heart (pericarditis) or in the heart muscle (myocarditis) can also cause sharp pain. Chest pain can also come from angina due to lupus‑related atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), or from less common problems like acute or chronic lupus pneumonitis (lung inflammation), or pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs). Tell your doctor about any chest, lung, or breathing pain, and seek immediate care if symptoms are sudden or severe.
Hair Loss (Alopecia)
Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is a common manifestation of lupus that may affect the scalp or other areas of the body. The severity and pattern of hair loss can vary from person to person.
Does lupus cause hair loss?
Yes, lupus can cause both scarring and non-scarring alopecia, occurring most often because inflammation affects the scalp or skin. “Lupus hair” refers to short, brittle, fragile hairs, often along the frontal hairline that result from increased hair fragility associated with active lupus. Discoid lupus (a skin-related type of lupus) can cause scarring on the scalp that may lead to permanent hair loss. Hair loss may also be related to lupus flares, physical stress on the body, or certain medications used to treat lupus.
Hair can grow back when inflammation is controlled and no scarring has occurred.
What are common lupus complications?