Hot hot hot

[LouLamb]

Today its is 28 to 30c . I was wondering if anyone actually manages to get a tan. I've never had one. I always seem to be a milk bottle.

[Hobnobbing]

I got a tan once... It was sprayed on! Never got a tan even before diagnosis. Getting used to being pasty but I did look a lot healthier with the spray tan!

[seanto]

I dont tan never have done. People have been saying that im getting paler. Though what i have figured out is that if i spend to long in the heat i end up feeling really nauseous.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

I wouldn't advise anybody to go and get a tan because the sun exposure can trigger lupus symptoms. In addition, a tan is a sign of damage to the skin which in time can increase other risks such as skin cancer. You can read more about light sensitivity and lupus in our blog at lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...

[chrisj]

I burn easily Lou and have been known to go a golden brown but I dont sit in the sun these days...caught it one year at my daughters in N Wales just walking down the seafront, it was a cool day with the sun just breaking through, very windy. I hadnt realised till later in the day that my face was burning and by night very sore...soon cleared it up but it reminded me my skin does not like the sun..sickening..my sister laps it up, she's a sunbather..its just not fair....

[foxglove]

As I understand if you have the sort of skin that never tans it means the sun goes into skin much easier and thus helps one to have healthy Vit. D levels - there's always a plus!!!. Of course us lupus folk have to be VERY careful in the sun just the same. Again (just as I red it) only 10 mins. in the sun is enough to boost Vit. D .

The reason a lot of brown skinned people in UK have low Vit. D levels might be because their darker skin prevents the sun getting through. In their native countries the sun would be much stronger...... Not that I wouldn't like to have a tan - agree it looks good

[seanto in reply to foxglove]

I both dont tan and still have low vit levels. Though i cant spend long in the sun without getting ill which might explain why my levels drop.

[Cann]

I go out in the cooler part of the day morning/evening. I have skin that doesn't go red or burn unless I'm stupid enough to go and sit in it. I do the garden at these times because I know that vitamin D is very important for me. I can't use supplements or sprays and of course we were intended to be outside for some of the time.

A tan is the body's natural way of protecting the skin and how come with all the use of skin lotions the incidences of skin cancer is going up?

Many health experts including Ty Bollinger state that we need some sunshine to keep our bodies healthy - everything in moderation and listening to your own body and knowing how it reacts. We are all different and if fair skinned then I am sure one does need to be very careful of burning.

Too much sun can trigger my symptoms but I know what I can cope with and I feel healthier outside than inside with all the EMF's. Also, when I am moving I am discharging all this, which has got to be healthy. I fear being forced to have a Smart meter from the energy companies more than I do a bit of sunshine!

[LouLamb in reply to Cann]

I was in the sun for a bit yesterday with my sunglasses and a hat . I feel like today my lupus rash on my face looks a lot redder

[Cann in reply to LouLamb]

I wear sun glasses and hat, too, but usually moving around when out there doing bits in the garden, so the sun is not on one part of my body too long. I must admit I feel better outside than in, but I do listen to my body and if I feel I have been in the sun too long I sit/work in the shade.

My rash on my face is worse in the winter and not when I have been outside, so I don't link it to the sun at all. It appears at times of a flare and nothing to do with when I have been outside, but that's not to say if I stayed too long in the sun, it would not cause a flare and happen. I just listen to my body.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Cann]

Hi Cann , the low level of photoprotection afforded by a tan is far outweighed by the damage incurred in its development and maintenance. For those who prefer tanned skin, using a non-UV self-tanner is an alternative. However, this is only a temporary solution and it is important to continue to use sunscreen. You can read more about tans at skincancer.org/prevention/t...

I agree that vitamin D is important, especially since many people with lupus have deficiencies. However, the potential health risks of synthesising vitamin D from sunlight in those with light sensitivity need to be considered. If somebody suspects they may have a vitamin D deficiency they should ask for testing by their doctor. The doctor can prescribe supplements if required.

I would also say many (if not all) in the medical profession would not consider Ty Bollinger a 'health expert' and I would like to warn people that his 'advice' could be extremely dangerous - sciencebasedmedicine.org/th...

[Cann in reply to Paul_Howard]

I don't necessarily prefer tanned skin, but I feel healthier when I spend some time outside and a consequence then is the skin adjusts slowly by tanning. I would not use a self-tanner. I am not that interested in the tan for appearance.

I cannot take supplements including vit. D. and for me it feels right to get the vit. D from foods and being outside. It may not be right for everyone, but we are all different.

I am not a great believer in science-based medicine. Vaccines could well have contributed to preventing diseases, but so has the improvement in sanitation and living standards since the times of smallpox, polio, etc., but it does worry me about what is used in the vaccines just as mercury was used in dental fillings and still is by some dentists, though slowly decreasing, when mercury is a poison and has to be disposed of carefully and yet it was ok to be put in the mouth, or so we were told. They have now found out this is not so.

We are always being told different stories - firstly, drinking red wine was good for us; then it was not. I prefer to listen to my body and find out what is right for me.

As for Ty Bollinger - what he says makes a lot of sense, but I am not saying that I act on just one person's say-so. I read a lot and work out what is right for me. Many may not consider him a health expert, but from some doctors I have seen, nor are any of them. Doctors including GP's only have one session - a few hours in training on diet in 7 years of training and yet it is the fuel of our bodies that keeps us alive and well. What does that say for a health system? I am very wary of such a system and quite rightly so, when it almost killed me in 2000.

It wasn't doctors who got me well - they gave me little hope and more or less wrote me off. It was complementary practitioners who knew about food and the health of the whole body.

[Tiras]

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

Hi Lou;

I am out in the sun quite often with gardening and fishing. My doctors and I have discussed this. I know that if I am out in the sun it will cause more lupus rashes and or blisters. I live in the southeastern parts of the us in the state of Alabama. I have a lot of Native American Indian blood and and I tan easily. I Am naturally dark skin. When I am out I saturate my body with 70+ SPF sunscreen. For us with lupus the sun is usually not our friend. I would suggest that you try just a few minutes in the sun with sunscreen see what happens and if it causes any and or what issues.

I myself have my motto

👣I will not let lupus control my life👣

👣LIVE LIFE TO IT'S FULLEST👣

Lupus has changed my life but, I will continue to do the things I enjoy and what makes life worth living.

Like going barefoot because of lupus but, I still do what I want, and go where I want. Lupus has changed how I go and do but, not where I go and what I do!

Hope this helps a little, just becareful in and with the sun or any ultraviolet light.

👣Tiras👣

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

👣The Barefoot Gardener👣

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

[Cann in reply to Tiras]

It is obviously much hotter where you live. Apart from the present heatwave, we never really reach the kind of temperatures that you experience. I explained to Twitchytoes why I can't use sun cream or screens. I have tried, but am allergic like her.

[Tiras in reply to Cann]

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

Yes, it is hot here. Today it is 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) and is suppose to be even hotter here by the weekend. Heat index above 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

👣Tiras👣

[Cann in reply to Tiras]

We rarely get above 19 degrees Celsius except in heat waves like at the moment when it can be 20 to 25 degrees.

[Hidden]

I have never tanned as I'm too fair skinned. I have always had really bad reactions to the sun since I was a kid so am very wary of it now. But since my menopause something has changed and I crave the sun and warmth (no heat). The rashes have stopped and I have freckles everywhere that have formed a kind of tan I suppose! I get little itchy spots and these telangiectasias on my face and mouth now instead. Makes life more interesting but I still avoid sun exposure like the plague! I wear a wide brimmed hat as I'm allergic to most sun creams - even the hypoallergenic ones!

[Cann in reply to Hidden]

Me, too, I can't use sun-creams or screens - my skin itches, bleeds and blisters. I can't use anything on my skin, but olive or almond oil and I only use that to lessen the dryness and flaking. So many people don't realise that everything we put on our skin is absorbed by the body and if toxic has to be removed and excreted. If I wouldn't eat it, I wouldn't rub it into my skin!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Cann]

In not quite as natural as you Cann - I use Waitrose baby cream as moisturiser and I wouldn't eat it! I tend to just avoid the full glare of the sun always and wear floppy hats, thin shawl scarves and loose long sleeves, leggings and sandals so that the only bits properly exposed are parts of my feet. And I take AsCal D3 on prescription as I did find, a after a few years on Methotrexate, that I was vitamin D deficient and felt awful.

[1985mum]

You don't get a tan from sitting out in the sun on one day of a heatwave. You get a tan from being active out in the sun every day but never getting burnt. If you live somewhere where you don't see strong sunlight everyday it's going to take a long time to tan. It's easy for us in Oz as we have a lot of hi UV sunlight pretty much all year round.

Then there is the cancer risk...

[Penelope-Mary in reply to 1985mum]

Hard to avoid 🌞🔥☀️ here isn't it 1985mum?

PM

🐚

[1985mum in reply to Penelope-Mary]

Yes it is hard. I love the sun myself and fortunately it's not something that triggers my flares. Even at this time of the year when the sun pokes thru the clouds it still has a zingy bite to it.

[Penelope-Mary in reply to 1985mum]

Yes! How lovely has it been the last 2 days....a gift to have sunny 18 degrees mid winter. Glad ☀️ isn't detrimental to your health 1985 mum...tell me, did you find a good rheumatologist in Sydney as hoped?

PM

🐚

[1985mum in reply to Penelope-Mary]

Yes it has been beautiful weather hasn't it? Quite welcome after last week!🌬🌨

Not a rheumatologist but I've got onto a good general physician who will hopefully poke me in the right direction. As yet I'm still in no mans land of waiting for official diagnosis...

[Penelope-Mary in reply to 1985mum]

Good that's a start, my first Dr was a specialist General Physician. It will come together in time, but the waiting is terribly frustrating.

I'm thinking of you...keep us posted.

PM

🌾

[1985mum in reply to Penelope-Mary]

After 2 years of going around in circles I decided it was best to step back and take another look at the big picture and if the whole thing boils back down to possible lupus again then he will be able to refer me back down that path for a second opinion. The wait is frustrating but thru all this I've learnt a lot about patience, so everything has its benefits!

Thanks for your kind words. I will let you know how I go.

[Penelope-Mary in reply to 1985mum]

Thank you for your update...I have been thinking of you. Love your optimistic out look; meanwhile I hope your health is being managed and you have support so you can cope with the inevitable bad days.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

PM

🐚

[1985mum in reply to Penelope-Mary]

Yes I have a very kind husband who does most of the work I should be doing and makes me go and sit in the recliner on my bad days💗 I couldn't do without him.

[Penelope-Mary in reply to 1985mum]

No doubt you give in all the ways you can..💚👏🏼 I think if you give so shall you receive ..simple premise! 😄

[1985mum in reply to Penelope-Mary]

Very true. I miss being able to help others like I used to...am dying to get well again and get back to it!

[Penelope-Mary in reply to 1985mum]

Sending 🌾🌾🌾 soothing energy and the hope you are as well as you can be with medical intervention asap.

[Wendy39]

Hello LouLamb. I don't think us lupies are supposed to get a tan, at all. Since diagnosis I have spent my life trying to avoid the sun. Clothing, glasses, factor 50+ sun cream, a hat when needed, even limit my time in sandals as my feet burn easily. Even factor 50+ on my face all year round. I am very pale but that is a small price to pay for keeping the lupus in check. Please take care in the sun LouLamb. Read the article Paul recommended and do some research on line about lupus and the sun. I know it's not what any of us would chose for ourselves. I would love to throw caution to the wind and sun bathe on the beach. But I have to be realistic and accept the diagnosis. I know it's not easy to adjust to this life changing diagnosis. Best wishes. Wendy

[littleeffie]

I know a light tan or colour is meant to look great but a smile is a far more attractive feature and has very little risk except people smiling back.

A love of the outdoors but keeping healthy is great but I do think it is an awful shame when fair skinned folk are getting ill or worse from trying to get a tan and those with darker skin risking all using bleaching products to lighten their colour.

Please all who read this live life to its best but be happy who you are.You can be the best you possible but only second best somebody else.

Take care life is precious x

[soootired]

I have always found it easy to tan and LOVE the sun - the warmth on my skin, the way I look etc... however, since diagnosis I've been told to avoid it. I am always in a sort of state of denial though, and don't do well with being told anything, and think that I know best..!. So tend to have to try and then feel the consequences first.

This week I was in the sun quite a bit and loved it... BUT... today I have been suffering SO much pain. My hands and wrists are very painful and my skin feels very odd - sort of tingly, burning hot, achy and prickly. And to go with it, fatigue and a general "yucky" feeling. So...

...The moral of this story? Much as I LOVE the sun, it no longer loves me and I can't be doing the consequences!