Lupus

Sarcoidosis also called Boeck's disease, Boeck's sarcoid and lupus pernio is a disease that causes inflammation of the body’s tissues. Inflammation is a basic response of the body to injury and usually causes reddened skin, warmth, swelling, and pain. Inflammation from sarcoidosis is different. In sarcoidosis, the inflammation produces small lumps (also called nodules or granulomas) in the tissues.

Once thought rare, sarcoidosis is now known to be common and affects persons worldwide. In fact, sarcoidosis is the most common chronic fibrotic (scar) interstitial lung disorder.

Symptoms of Sarcoidosis

Most people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms. Some have only one symptom, while still others have many. Symptoms typically depend on which organs the disease affects. General symptoms caused by the disease include weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever, and an overall feeling of ill health. Most often, the disease will affect the lungs. Thus, the most common symptoms of the disease are a cough that does not go away and shortness of breath, particularly with exertion. 

Symptoms common in sarcoidosis include the following

General Symptoms

• Uneasiness, feeling sick (“malaise“)
• Tiredness, fatigue, weakness
• Loss of appetite or weight
• Fever
• Sweating at night during sleep

Lymph Node Symptoms

• Enlarged lymph nodes—most often those of the neck, but also may be those under the chin, in the arm pits, or in the groin

Skin Symptoms

• Skin rash—painful or hot red bumps on the legs or arms, or small brownish and painless bumps on the arms, legs, and/or back

Eye Symptoms

• Burning, itching, tearing, pain
• Red eye
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Dryness
• Seeing black spots (called floaters)
• Blurred vision

Lungs and Heart Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Wheeze
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Joint Symptoms

• Joint stiffness, swelling—most commonly of the ankles, feet, and hands

You may not realize you have sarcoidosis, especially early in the disease. But if you're tired, have a fever, have lost weight, have shortness of breath and a cough that persists for weeks or months, or have raised skin eruptions and joint pain (arthralgia), see your doctor, these symptoms may indicate sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis Symptoms to S