Sarcoidosis attacks the entire body, focusing on the lungs, eyes, skin and organs. Characterized by inflamed, microscopic growths called granulomas, sarcoidosis is most often found in the lungs. The disease can cause redness in the eyes, shortness of breath, bumps on the skin, fatigue, fever and general pain caused by exposure to light. Sarcoidosis apparently isn t contagious, but doctors believe shared environmental exposure, such as living in the same house or working in the same building, may lead to it.
Sarcoidosis is more common in health care workers, especially nurses, and in rural areas.
The disease tends to run in families. If one family member has sarcoidosis, then there is as much as a 16 percent chance another family member will contract the disease. About 3 percent of African-American women risk getting the disease sometime during their adult lives. It typically affects people between the ages of 20-40. The disease is slightly less common in African-American men, and Caucasian women and men.