Symptoms

General signs and symptoms of most types of vasculitis include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• General aches and pains

Other signs and symptoms are related to the parts of the body affected, including:

• Digestive system. If your stomach or intestines are affected, you may experience pain after eating. Ulcers and perforations are possible and may result in blood in the stool.
• Ears. Dizziness, ringing in the ears and abrupt hearing loss may occur.
• Eyes. Vasculitis can make your eyes look red and itch or burn. Giant cell arteritis can cause double vision and temporary or permanent blindness in one or both eyes. This is sometimes the first sign of the disease.
• Hands or feet. Some types of vasculitis can cause numbness or weakness in a hand or foot. The palms of the hands and soles of the feet might swell or harden.
• Lungs. You may develop shortness of breath or even cough up blood if vasculitis affects your lungs.
• Skin. Bleeding under the skin can show up as red spots. Vasculitis can also cause lumps or open sores on your skin.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. Some types of vasculitis can worsen quickly, so early diagnosis is the key to getting effective treatment.