Sarcoidosis

A rare disease of unknown cause in which there is inflammation of tissues throughout the body, especially the lymph nodes, lungs, skin, eyes, and liver. It occurs mainly in young adults. Symptoms do not always occur, but when they do, they include fever, generalized aches, painful joints, and painful, bloodshot eyes. Sarcoidosis may also cause enlargement of the lymph nodes, breathlessness, erythema nodosum, a purplish facial rash, and areas of numbness. Possible complications include hypercalcaemia, which may damage the kidneys, and pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment of sarcoidosis is not always needed. Most people recover completely within 2 years, with or without treatment, but some develop a persistent, chronic form of the disease. Corticosteroids are given to treat persistent fever or erythema nodosum, to prevent blindness in an affected eye, and to reduce the risk of lung damage.