Best Light Bulbs for LUPUS?

[Roromatic]

Please, in a nutshell, what are the best light bulbs for very light sensitive LUPUS? and where can I buy them? Been wading through endless posts and am getting frustrated.

[overnighthearingloss]

I have noticed that on days when I am below par I just cannot take fluorescent lights

Also the new energy saving bulbs. O almost can feel them zapping my energy and feel really groggy if I dont turn them off

[Roromatic in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thanks OHL.

[Chapter]

Apparently, according to research, LED lights are suppose to be easiest on skin.

[behappy1]

Id like to know too. Driving me insane cooking in dark as can't even handle kitchen lights on. Gives me awful discomfort and headache.

[Lupoid]

LED lighting all the way. And I would strongly suggest getting the Phillips warm white (check the color temperature) the bright white can still cause minor issues.

[alison11mt]

I've just changed my kitchen lights to LED, a combination of regular and warm, they are great! You can even get battery operated ones that you can use under your wall cabinets instead of fluorescent ones.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

The best lightbulbs for light-sensitivity are the incandescent bulbs - which are now more difficult to get your hands on unfortunately because of EU legislation banning them. We have a guide to artificial lighting with the pros and cons of each type available to read here - eclipse.lupusuk.org.uk/guid...

[Chapter in reply to Paul_Howard]

I agree with Paul, even if the LED is recommended. I have a cupboard full of incandescent bulbs, they are getting hard to find so if I see them, I buy them.

[Spicer21 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Hi Paul,

Do you still have an article about artificial lighting that I could look at - only the link that you posted 3 years ago is (not surprisingly, I guess) now broken. Thanks.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Spicer21]

Hi Spicer21 ,

Yes. Our websites got a face-lift two years ago so a lot of the links changed. You can now find the updated version of this article at lupusuk.org.uk/eclipse/a-gu...

[Spicer21 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks for that, Paul

[Cann]

New compact LEDs when they come out are supposed to be OK for those who suffer ES symptoms - can't wait, but expect they will be expensive!

[lupuswriter]

A really good source that describes different levels of UV emitted by different artificial light sources. This article is technical but worth the read. Half way through is a chart that makes the distinctions between the sources pretty clear. LED wins; little to no UV emissions onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[Roromatic]

Wow. Fantastic info as ever. This place is a lifesaver.

[Roromatic]

So is led or incandescent best? Seems to be two opinions ...

[madmagz]

I get the old style bulbs from a little old shop that sells all sorts of bits and bobs and things that you might have used in your house in by-gone-eras! The gent who owns this shop gets the old style light bulbs for me in packs of ten. I do use LED bulbs too but find the old ones best as they don't emit UV the way that flourescent and low energy bulbs do. When I am at work I cover up completely and coat any exposed skin in a factor fifty sun cream as there are lots of flourescent lights, I have found this helpful since being told I am photosensitive.

I have found that the best places to buy old style light bulbs are pound shops and little old shops that are often tucked out of the way and the people who own these are often happy to strike up a conversation and help out when you say what you are looking for they often help out.

Good luck

Madmagz x

[Lucy74]

Thank you, great post. I was wondering about this too.

I work in an office with fluro lights - very draining. I'm sure I've heard of specs you can buy that filter out the blue light in some way. Does anyone know anything about this?

[Yangon]

LED lights are suitable for photo sensitivity typed lupus .

[KatHannah]

My mum suffers from Lupus and is very light sensitive. She cannot tolerate any bulbs other than the old incandescent ones (she finds both Halogen, fluorescent and LED's cause her great discomfort - feeling zapped, a rash, throbbing joints, very groggy) Like many others have said, the incandescent ones are hard to get hold of since the EU ban so whenever she sees any she buys them all! She finds that the new 'decorative' lights that have suddenly become very popular (thankfully!) are also fine - as they use filament like the old incandescent ones. She can not tolerate tv, computer or smart phone screens either due to the UV light emitted. She is also sensitive to sunlight and has to wear dark sunglasses, large hats and completely cover up from head to toe - she also wears factor 50 suncream on her face everyday.

It makes life incredibly hard and I hope governments realise the adverse effects associated with halogen, fluorescent and LED bulbs and the need for incandescent bulbs to be made available.