Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and more. It causes the immune system, which usually defends the body against disease, to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. This leads to a wide range of symptoms, many of which can seem subtle or unrelated at first. Recognizing these early signs matters because timely diagnosis and treatment can help manage the disease effectively and prevent severe complications. This guide highlights the most common early signs of lupus, giving you a clear idea of what to watch for and how these symptoms connect to the condition.

1. Fatigue That Sticks Around

Feeling tired is normal sometimes, but exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest could be an early sign of lupus. Around 80% of people with lupus experience extreme fatigue as one of their first symptoms.

  • What it feels like: Daily activities may feel difficult, and energy levels don’t bounce back, even after a full night’s sleep.
  • Why it happens: Lupus causes chronic inflammation, which uses up the body’s energy and leaves you feeling drained.

2. Joint Pain and Stiffness

Achy joints often signal lupus early on, with some mistaking it for arthritis. Unlike typical joint pain, this discomfort tends to be mild in the morning and worsen throughout the day.

  • What to pay attention to: Pain or stiffness in the fingers, wrists, and knees is most common. Joints may also feel swollen or warm to the touch.
  • What’s happening: The immune system’s attack causes inflammation in the joints, leading to persistent pain and reduced mobility.

3. Skin Rash

A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose is one of lupus’s trademark symptoms. Not everyone with lupus gets this rash, but it’s a significant sign when it appears.

  • How it looks: Redness and irritation on the face that may become more noticeable after sun exposure. Some people also develop rashes elsewhere on the body, often in sun-exposed areas like the arms and neck.
  • Why it occurs: Lupus makes the body highly sensitive to sunlight, and autoimmune activity can trigger skin irritation and damage.

4. Fever Without Explanation

Low-grade fevers that come and go without an obvious reason could be related to lupus. These fevers don’t spike as high as those caused by infections but are still noticeable.

  • What to watch for: Temperatures hovering between 99°F and 101°F, often accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue or joint pain.
  • The connection to lupus: Ongoing inflammation in the body sends signals that mimic responses to infection, triggering frequent low fevers.

5. Hair Loss

Thinning hair or more hair falling out than usual could be another early indicator of lupus. Unlike male-pattern baldness, this type of hair loss is more uniform and less focused on any specific spot.

  • What stands out: Hair falling out more during brushing or washing, with eyebrows and eyelashes also thinning in some cases.
  • What causes it: Lupus inflammation affects hair follicles, causing them to weaken and shed more hair than normal. Medications for lupus may also contribute to hair loss over time.

6. Sun Sensitivity

Feeling unusually sensitive to the sun could be one of the first signs of lupus. Exposure to sunlight can make existing symptoms worse or trigger new ones.

  • What to notice: Skin turning red or irritated quickly after even brief sun exposure. Sunlight may also exacerbate fatigue or joint discomfort.
  • Why it matters: Photosensitivity is closely linked to lupus and may point to the need for protective measures like wearing sunscreen or limiting sun exposure.

7. Chest Pain or Difficulty Breathing

Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths might be connected to inflammation around the lungs or heart, a condition known as pleuritis or pericarditis.

  • What it feels like: Sharp or stabbing pain in the chest, often described as a tight or heavy sensation. Shortness of breath might accompany the discomfort when lying down or exerting yourself.
  • What’s causing it: Lupus inflammation affects the linings of the lungs or heart, making it hard to take deep breaths without discomfort.

8. Swollen Glands

Enlarged lymph nodes are another overlooked early symptom of lupus. These bean-shaped structures in your neck, armpits, and groin are part of the immune system and can swell during flare-ups.

  • How it feels: Tender, swollen areas that you can feel under the skin, sometimes accompanied by low-grade fever or fatigue.
  • Why this happens: Over-activation of the immune system causes the glands to work overtime, resulting in swelling and tenderness.

9. Mouth or Nose Ulcers

Mouth or nasal sores that seem to stick around or recur frequently might be easy to overlook, but they’re a common manifestation of lupus.

  • What they’re like: Painless ulcers inside your mouth, on your tongue, or even inside your nose.
  • What causes them: The body’s inflammatory response targets the lining of mouth or nasal tissue, creating small but persistent sores.

10. Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Fingers or toes that go numb, tingle, or turn white, blue, or red in response to cold or stress could signal a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, which often occurs with lupus.

  • What happens: Extremities feel cold or numb, and noticeable color changes appear, especially during temperature shifts or emotional stress.
  • Why it’s linked to lupus: Blood flow to the fingers and toes becomes restricted due to inflammation or blood vessel constriction.

Seeking Medical Evaluation

Early symptoms of lupus can overlap with other conditions, making diagnosis tricky. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience any combination of these signs for weeks or if symptoms worsen over time. Doctors may perform blood tests, urine analysis, and imaging to identify the presence of lupus or rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.