Early Signs of Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. It can damage multiple organs. When the kidneys are involved, it is called Lupus Nephritis. Approximately 50% of the patients with SLE may develop Lupus Nephritis. Therefore, if the patients have Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), they should keep checks in the next two years after its diagnosis. It is very essential for us to know the early signs of Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

1. Fever and joint pain

Some young women may have long time fever for no clear reason. After using glucocorticoid, their temperature will decline and recover normal. However, once stopping using it, their body temperature will rise again. Along with fever, the patients are also accompanied by symmetrical joint pain and swelling. In some cases, the patients may have morning stiffness.

2. Erythema

The patients with Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may have papilionaceous erythema on their faces. The fringe of erythema is clear and there are keratin crumbs adhering to the erythema. Moreover, the patients have swelling red erythema. In serious cases, they may have difform red erythema in multiple parts of body like knuckle, palm, vola and so on.

3. Rash

The patients with Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may have red papule and maculopapule. Generally, the rashes do not cause itch or only cause mild itch. They may occur on any parts of body, especially common on face, neck and limbs. In rare cases, they may have blister and bleeding blister. After the blisters recover, the epidermis will have atrophy, chromatosis and cutification.

4. Sensitive to light

When the patients with Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are exposed to sunshine, their faces will turn red. In some cases, if they are exposed to ultraviolet rays, they will have allergic rash.

5. Mucosal ulcer

The patients with Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may have painless mucosal ulcer in their months, lips, noses and other parts. If the ulcer causes infections, they will have pain.

6. Hair loss

They are very likely to loss hair, not only hair on head, but also other hair like eyelash, eyebrow, and body hair and so on. Their hair often can become sparse, withered and yellow and fragile.

7. Abnormal menstruation

The patients often have menstruation disturbance. Their menstruation may be ahead of the time or delay.


If you have one or several symptoms of Systmic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) above, you should go for further to find if you have renal injury in the first time and receive effective treatment of Lupus Nephritis in time.