Can sunshine provoke a Lupus flare?: I more and... - LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK

31,602 members28,008 posts

Can sunshine provoke a Lupus flare?

Coppernob profile image
5 Replies

I more and more suspect I may have seronegative Lupus (do have APS and SS). Was out in the sun all day on Sunday, without sunscreen (duh), got very tired and very burned. Have been feeling crap ever since. Also developed bright red round blotchy blobs on both cheeks and over nose. And I've been doing that on and off, with or without sun, for some time now. Malar rash???

Should have recovered from long busy Sunday by now (performing in a choir) - I would usually have - so wonder if sun has set off a Lupus 'episode'? Is that possible?

Written by
Coppernob profile image
Coppernob
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies

Yes. In fact sunshine is a major trigger. It's not a very nice thing to have to deal with (I lived outside all Summer before lupus) - but high factor sunscreen and a hat at all times plus not ever exposing skin elsewhere to the sun - should prevent this happening again.

I have discovered, recently, that aloe vera direct from the plant (cut a slice and extract the sticky gloop) helps with the flaky scaly redness I get if I am accidentally exposed.

Hope you feel better soon.

Coppernob profile image
Coppernob in reply to

Thanks. Hmmmm, must investigate this further with (various!) consultants, then.

I applied aloe vera gel as soon as I got home, plus some petroleum cream stuff from GP and it's calmed down now. But I still feel rubbish. Reducing steroids at same time adds to the, er, challenges of course.

But thanks for info, that's helpful.

SarahHeney profile image
SarahHeney

Yes it can cause a flare in symptoms. UV light can stimulate lupus activity. As my GP always tells me, "the sun is your enemy".

katerowley profile image
katerowley

If I'm out to long in the sun it makes me sick.

had a melanoma last year, jury still out how I got it cause I cant stand the sun, but warning to others never forget your sunscreen ( I was awake when I had the surgery, not something I want to go through again)

field profile image
field

I also get sick from the sun if I stay in it too long. The hotter it is the sicker I get. In fact on very hot days during the summer I don't venture out, unless I have a must go to appointment. The problem is, by avoiding the sun, we can become vit D deficient and may develop other problems in relation to that. You just can't win with this illness.

You may also like...

can you have a lupus flare with normal bloods

feel horrific I have been told my Iron is low alongside that I’ve got sores in my nose pains in...

connective tissues & lupus flare

the heat is not good here in UK, I have recently and still am having issues with my left eye which...

Stress and Lupus Flare

although I was diagnosed with Lupus 6 years ago following a head to toe rash as a reaction to...

how to define a lupus flare

are secondary to the fatigue and pain. I feel have very low energy levels, maybe 2 hours of...

Flu/cold or Lupus flare?

but no runny nose. However, I do have a froggy throat, it's just baffling me as I don't have joint...