After being in the sun for a short time I get pins and needles all over my body lasts a week. Is this damaging and is there any treatment?

[Louise44]

I am going to a warm country on holiday in 2 weeks and am worried. My consultant can't see me before I go.

[Purpletop]

Uv rays affect the DNA (break it down to some extent). Our immune systems consider those breakages as enemy, so it attacks them, therefore leading to a mini-flare. The pins and needles are just one of the symptoms of your lupus being irritated. As for how damaging these are, they usually indicate some neurological or vessel inflammation but if you stay out of the sun the symptoms are likely to subside soon. Going to a hot country won't be ideal, so try and stay in the shade as much as you can and if you do go in the sun, use cream, hat, clothing, etc to protect yourself.

I'd take some steroids with me too, in case, just for peace of mind - but bear in mind that some countries forbid steroids to be brought in, e.g. Maldives.

[Louise44 in reply to Purpletop]

Thank you so much for your reply, it was really informative and helpful. I am very grateful.

[Pickzie]

I have just come back from Greece and had a lovely holiday, although I am still 'pale and interesting' rather than suntanned! My skin reacts very badly to UV rays causing raised rash ( bit like hives) on all areas that have been exposed to sun. Very itchy and unpleasant! I have had this every holiday for the last 21 years since lupus started but have found ways to cope with it so I can still enjoy my holidays. Get factor 50 sun cream prescribed by your GP and use it religiously. I put mine on instead of moisturiser before going anywhere in the morning and keep it topped up during the day. Avoid direct sun eg umbrella or protective clothes when walking as even with sun cream a lot of uv exposure causes my skin to react. I normally have a 2-3 day window of tolerance before the reaction starts. You can buy uv protection clothes (factor 50) but they are expensive. If you were interested, look at companies like sunsibility and Rohan. Wallaroo also do some good sun block hats. Hope you enjoy your holiday.

[ShellW]

I get pain after being out in the sun but I do find that over the summer I tend to become desensitised to it somewhat. I have just come back from Cuba - where I sat in the shade, used factor 30 sunscreen with 5 star UVA protection (UVA protection most important - I would recommend Boots Soltan or the Superdrug version) but have still come back with a nice tan which has made me feel better and of course the vitamin D is good for you. I try to get used to the sun by going out in it for fairly short periods at the beginning of the year and extending the time spent in the sun over several weeks/months - it seems to work for me.

[kimc]

The heat will be tricks if you're a lupus, I had that happen s on my arm when I stress, using my arms little too much, exposed to the sun w/o long sleeves and sun block. Explain to your consultant about vacation and hope she/he would let you see doctor before to go. Good luck.

[delyth_hughes]

Any exposure to the sun and I feel awful, not so much pins and needles but a feeling that my skin is too tight around all my joints and awful pain, then add in the rash and just a little bit more exhaustion than usual and that's why I never go abroad any more and spend all summer either in the house or covered from head to foot in clothing. I haven't found anything to help,other than avoiding the sun all together so that's what I do

[onamission]

Is pins and needles a symptom of Lupus I have had pins and needles in my hands and feet my GP has done bloods for vitamin B12 but they came back ok and I have had both carpal tunnel done