Why is sunlight bad for lupus

For example, stay indoors between 10 a. If you have to go outside, stay in shade provided by trees, an umbrella, or an awning.

Installing sun shields on your house and car windows can also provide the UV protection you need. Phototoxicity is a dangerous reaction that can happen when light and certain chemicals combine. For example, phototoxic reactions can occur when your skin is exposed to sunlight after you take certain medications.

These medications include certain:. For people with lupus, artificial light with UV rays can also cause problems. Sources of this light include:.

Limit or avoid exposure to these artificial light sources. Avoid tanning beds altogether, since they could worsen your condition. But does it actually stop your skin from…. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition that may increase the risk of contracting the new coronavirus or developing complications from COVID Lupus is a chronic disease that causes inflammation throughout the body.

It currently has no cure. Fortunately, a rich online community exists to…. Use a broad-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants if you are going to be outside for long periods of time. Also, watch out for photosensitive medications, which can make you even more sensitive to sunlight," advises Bishnoi.

Because most people with lupus are photosensitive and sunlight can trigger symptoms from skin rashes to internal organ damage, protecting yourself from sun exposure is a vital part of lupus management. It's important to know how ultraviolet light from the sun and other sources may stimulate an autoimmune response.

Make sure you use a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF and that you are using enough sunscreen to get complete protection. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects more than 5 million people around the world, including about 1. As a systemic illness, lupus often causes the kind of rampant inflammation and widespread tissue damage that can provoke a range of symptoms, including chronic pain, joint stiffness, extreme fatigue, cognitive impairment, and prominent skin rashes.

While medication can help you manage immune system response and minimize symptoms, learning how to avoid known triggers is just as critical. Preventing lupus flare-ups can be especially challenging in the warm summer months, when common environmental triggers are more pervasive and intense than usual. But for people with lupus, even minimal amounts of exposure to UV light can be disastrous. Although this powerful adverse reaction to UV radiation begins in your skin, it can trigger a more systemic immune response that produces a more far-reaching lupus flare-up, or the kind that causes joint pain, extreme fatigue, fever, lightheadedness, and flu-like symptoms.

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