What is Behcet’s Disease?

By: Pamela Price
Health & Fitness
May 20, 2026, 8:15 am
Photo Credits: Tara Winstead

I live with Behcet’s Disease and today is Behcet’s Disease Awareness Day (May 20th).

In fact, every May we wear blue in light of Behcet’s Disease Awareness Month.

Behcet’s Disease is a rare, chronic inflammatory condition that affects blood vessels throughout the body. Because it can impact multiple systems, symptoms often vary greatly from person to person. Some people may experience only a few symptoms, while others face more severe complications that affect their daily lives.

I always describe it as: If Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis had a baby, it would be Behcet’s.

Behcet’s Disease was first formally identified in 1937 by Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet, who recognized a pattern of recurring mouth sores, genital ulcers and eye inflammation in several patients. The condition was later named after him.

However, historians and medical researchers believe Behcet’s Disease may have existed for centuries before it was officially documented. Some experts even point to writings from ancient physician Hippocrates that described symptoms similar to the disease.

Behcet’s Disease is sometimes referred to as “The Silk Road Disease” because it has historically been more common in countries along the ancient Silk Road trading route, including Turkey, Iran, China, Japan and parts of the Middle East and Mediterranean region. Today, the disease is recognized worldwide, although it is still considered rare in many countries, including the United States.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by We Care When Inc. (@wecarewhen)

One of the challenges with Behcet’s Disease is that it is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Since many of the symptoms can resemble other illnesses, patients sometimes spend years searching for answers before receiving a proper diagnosis.

Common symptoms of Behcet’s Disease can include painful mouth sores, genital ulcers, skin lesions, eye inflammation, joint pain, fatigue and digestive issues. Some patients may also experience neurological symptoms or vascular complications. Symptoms often come in flares, meaning periods of increased disease activity followed by times of relative calm.

Although the exact cause of Behcet’s Disease remains unknown, researchers believe it may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger an abnormal immune system response. There is currently no cure, but treatments can help manage inflammation and reduce symptoms. Depending on the severity of the disease, patients may work with multiple specialists including rheumatologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists and neurologists.

Living with Behcet’s Disease can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Many patients deal with invisible symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue and brain fog while trying to maintain work, family and everyday responsibilities. Awareness matters because greater understanding can lead to earlier diagnoses, better support systems and more research into treatments.

For those looking to learn more or connect with support communities, resources are available through American Behcet’s Disease Association and the Instagram support community We Care When. These organizations and communities continue to provide education, advocacy and encouragement for patients and families navigating life with Behcet’s Disease.