The Symptoms
The Symptoms
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body, so its symptoms vary widely. Two people may both have lupus, but their symptoms might not be the same. One person might have skin rashes and joint pain, while another might have kidney problems or tiredness as their main symptom. Because lupus can affect almost any part of the body, it can sometimes mimic other conditions, such as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or kidney disease. This can make it hard to diagnose and may take time for doctors to confirm what’s really going on.
Common signs include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, and hair loss. It can also affect blood, kidneys, lungs, heart, and the nervous system, causing issues like low hemoglobin (anaemia), swelling, chest pain, or headaches. Many people with lupus also have sensitivity to sunlight or UV light, which can cause skin rashes or make their systemic symptoms like fatigue worse.
People with lupus often go through times when they feel well and times when their symptoms get worse. This can happen again and again over time. A “flare” is when the disease becomes active and symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear, such as increased joint pain, rashes, fatigue, or organ involvement. Remission means the disease is less active or quiet, with few or no noticeable symptoms.
| Organ / System |
Common Symptoms |
| Skin and Hair | Butterfly rash (a red rash across the cheeks and nose), other skin rashes, photosensitivity (skin reacting badly to sunlight), and hair loss or thinning. |
| Joints and Muscles | Joint pain, stiffness or swelling (arthritis), and muscle aches or weakness. |
| Blood and Circulation | Anaemia (low red blood cells causing tiredness), low white cells or platelets, easy bruising or bleeding, and Raynaud’s phenomenon (fingers/toes turning white or blue in the cold). |
| Kidneys | Protein in urine (may make urine foamy), swelling around the legs or eyes, and high blood pressure. |
| Lungs and Heart | Chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, and inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleuritis) or heart (pericarditis). |
| Nervous System | Headaches, confusion, memory or concentration problems, seizures (fits), and mood or personality changes. |
| General/Systemic | Ongoing tiredness, fever, and unexpected weight gain or loss. |
THE SYMPTOMS BODY MAP
Although symptoms are similar in men and women, there are a number of small differences. Please select the appropriate body map below to see how lupus affects both men and women.
Last updated: December 2025
