What are the signs and symptoms of lupus?
Lupus may be hard to diagnose. It’s often mistaken for other diseases. For this reason, lupus has been called the “great imitator.” The signs of lupus differ from person to person. Some people have just a few signs; others have more. Common signs of lupus are: • Red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks • Painful or swollen joints • Unexplained fever • Chest pain with deep breathing • Swollen glands • Extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time) • Unusual hair loss (mainly on the scalp) • Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress • Sensitivity to the sun • Low blood count • Depression, trouble thinking, and/or memory problems Other signs are mouth sores, unexplained seizures (convulsions), “seeing things” (hallucinations), repeated miscarriages, and unexplained kidney problems. What Is a Flare? When symptoms appear, it’s called a “flare.” These signs may come and go. You may have swelling and rashes one week and no sympt
