Lupus and the Feet

Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the feet and ankles. People with lupus sometimes have other conditions that overlap with lupus — such as Raynaud’s syndrome and arthritis — which can also cause foot problems. 

When you have lupus, it’s important to check your feet regularly for any changes or problems.

When lupus affects the feet, some of the problems  it can cause include: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Cold feet 

If you have lupus and notice these problems with your feet, it’s important to talk to your doctor right away. That’s because these problems can also be signs of other serious conditions, like nerve issues, kidney disease (including lupus nephritis),  or heart disease. Your doctor can check your feet and rule out other possible causes of your foot problems.

Some other foot problems that people with lupus may experience include: 

• Lymphedema — A condition where lymphatic fluid builds up and can cause swelling, including in the feet
• Raynaud’s syndrome — This is when blood vessels in certain parts of the body, like your toes or fingers, tighten in response to cold or stress. It can cause your toes or fingers change color or go numb.
• Chilblains — This condition causes inflamed, swollen skin or blisters on your hands and feet when the skin comes into contact with air that’s damp and cold, but not freezing.
• Plantar fasciitis — This condition causes pain on the bottom of the foot and happens when a band of tissue in the bottom of the foot, called the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. 

Caring for your feet when you have lupus 

When you have lupus, it’s important to take steps to protect your feet from damage and keep them healthy. Here are some tips that can help:

• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Watch for any skin breaks or sores that don’t heal.  
  • When people with lupus or other chronic health conditions get sores on their feet, they may need to get treatment from a doctor.
• Protect your feet from extreme temperature, especially if you have Raynaud’s or chilblains.
  • For example, wear warm socks in cooler months, but also be careful not to let your feet get too cold in air-conditioned spaces during warmer months.
• Wear shoes that fit well and are comfortable.

Depending on your specific foot problems and symptoms, other treatments — such as wearing compressions sock to help with swelling — may help. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and how to manage them. 

See your doctor  about any foot problems

Foot problems when you have lupus can be serious. If you notice any problems or changes to your feet, talk with your doctor right away. They can give you advice on how to treat or manage the problem and rule out other possible causes.

Impact on daily life

When lupus symptoms affect the feet, it can impact your daily life. Standing or walking for long periods of time can become harder, and some people become more concerned about falling. Problems with your feet can also sometimes affect your ability to drive, work some jobs, exercise, or go shopping.

But there are also people who experience the effects of lupus in their feet who are still able to do many of the things they did before by making some adjustments and planning ahead. For example, it can help to: 

• Choose the right shoes and socks for activities  
• Plan for rest days after a day that will have lots of walking
• Work with your doctor to find the right medicines to manage pain

Getting support

If the symptoms in your feet are making it difficult for you to move around, you may find that you need to rely more on friends and family members for support and help. 

It may be hard sometimes to ask for the help you need. Remember, friends and family members usually want to help, but they may not always know how. Use this resource to help get the support you need.

Impact on emotional health

When you’re adjusting to changes in your ability to do daily tasks — and when you’re living with physical pain — it can affect your mental and emotional health. But if you’ve been feeling down for some time or less interested in things that used to be important to you, that may be a sign that it’s time to seek professional help. Tell your doctor about how you’ve been feeling. They can help connect you with a counselor or therapist and talk with you about medicines that can help with depression and anxiety.