Though the main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is the attack of white blood cells on the joints – it can also attack tissues as well. The organs that can also be attacked are skin, lungs, blood vessels and even the heart, brain and the cells of the immune system. But these types of attacks are very rare to find. The presence of rheumatoid modules is the most common symptom in rheumatoid arthritis apart from joints. These are left beneath the skin or elbows as a small lump of soft tissue.
Skin Changes
Blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis may cause the skin to change its color in rheumatoid arthritis. These may include red spots over the arms and legs, red to black painful pimple like areas in the finger and toenails, and very rarely skin ulcers on the lower legs.
Lung Problem
Lung problems such as shortness of breath at rest, dry cough and chest pain upon breathing may show up with rheumatoid arthritis.
Blood vessel problem
Blood vessel problems may arise from the same process that damage blood vessels as in the case of vasculitis. This may affect the gut causing internal bleeding, nerves, leading to loss of strength and sensation, the eye showing red, pain and loss of vision and many other organs in the body.
