Understanding Sarcoidosis -- Symptoms

Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD on May 16, 2023
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
2 min read

Symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on the area of the body involved, and may be mild, moderate, severe, or absent. The first symptoms are often vague and may include the following:

The lungs are usually the first area to be affected by sarcoidosis: 9 of 10 people with sarcoidosis have some type of lung involvement. Pulmonary sarcoidosis can be serious, leading to the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lungs. This complication can interfere with breathing.

Other symptoms include skin rashes or red bumps (erythema nodosum) on the legs. In about 20% to 30% of cases, sarcoidosis affects the eyes, causing inflammation leading to redness, tearing, internal bleeding or masses. Late-stage disease complications involving the eyes include cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness. Sarcoidosis can affect almost any organ including the brain and nerves, heart, liver, kidneys, joints, and various hormone-producing glands.

The granulomas or clumps of cells that characterize sarcoidosis may occasionally be associated with high levels of calcium in the blood and urine. Too much calcium in the urine may lead to kidney stones.

The course of sarcoidosis also varies among individuals. Usually, patients who experience more generalized symptoms, such as weight loss and fatigue, develop a mild form of the disease. Patients suffering from shortness of breath and skin rashes may develop more chronic, severe sarcoidosis.

Neurosarcoid is a form that affects the nervous system – the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves It can have symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It can also cause dizziness, confusion, or hearing loss.

Race also seems to play a role; Caucasians are more likely to develop a mild form of the disease, while African-Americans tend to develop the more chronic, severe form.

  • You have a cough that won't go away
  • You develop a sudden, unexplained skin rash
  • You experience sudden, unexplained weight loss
  • You experience chronic fatigue or don't feel well