Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms

November 25, 2024

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by YunZu (Michele) Wang, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that causes the body to produce abnormal hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Symptoms of sickle cell disease can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on which type of sickle cell disease the patient has.

Signs of Sickle Cell Disease

If diagnosed at birth, most children with sickle cell disease start to show symptoms within five months. Because the disorder affects how the red blood cells work, the most common symptom for people of any age is anemia — a condition where the body does not get enough oxygen because the red blood cells are not working normally.

Anemia can cause:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain

Other signs of sickle cell disease include:

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Unusual or frequent episodes of pain
• Problems with the body’s growth
• Dark colored urine
• Stroke
• Painful swelling of the hands or toes as a baby
• Painful erections in boys

Sickle Cell Crisis Symptoms

One more serious symptom of sickle cell disease is a sickle cell crisis. Also called a pain crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis, this refers to a sudden, severe bout of pain. Because it can cause serious complications, people experiencing a sickle cell crisis should alert their care team right away to determine whether it should be managed at home or if they should seek expert medical care.

What Does Sickle Cell Pain Feel Like?

Sickle cell pain may feel like a dull ache, or it may come on suddenly and feel like sharp knives deep inside of the body. This pain can range from mild to severe and can affect any part of the body, including the arms and legs, the chest and joints.

Most people with sickle cell disease experience this pain at some point in their lives. It’s caused when a patient’s abnormally shaped red blood cells cannot travel smoothly through the bloodstream and begin to block the blood vessels.

Sickle Cell Trait Symptoms

Most people with sickle cell trait don’t have any symptoms of sickle cell disease. However, if someone has sickle cell trait, it’s important to call a doctor if blood is present in his or her urine. Though rare, it’s possible for people who carry sickle cell trait to experience sickling of the red blood cells in extreme circumstances, such as being dehydrated, exercising intensely or being at high altitudes.