Lupus symptoms

Because lupus can affect so many different parts of the body, it can cause a lot of different symptoms. And many people with lupus don’t have all the symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of lupus

The most common lupus symptoms (which are the same for men and women) are:

Extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time)
Pain or swelling in the joints
Swelling in the hands, feet, or around the eyes
Headaches
Low fevers
Sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent light
Chest pain when breathing deeply

Many people with lupus also have problems that affect their skin and hair, like:

A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose
Hair loss
Sores in the mouth or nose
Fingers and toes turning white or blue and feeling numb when a person is cold or stressed (Raynaud’s Disease)

Lupus symptoms may come and go — and they can change over time.

If I have these symptoms, does that mean I have lupus?

Not necessarily. Lupus shares a lot of symptoms with other diseases, like arthritis and diabetes.

So if you have these common lupus symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor and find out whether you have lupus or a different health problem. That way, you can get the treatment you need.

Learn how doctors diagnose lupus