does the sun really hurt you?

[kirbi]

i was wondering if anyone knows if the sun really hurts you? im 17 and my doc tells me to stay out of the sun...but i love the sun and i love being outside. if someone could email me or something and tell me id apperiacte it! thanks ~Kirbi

[AnM]

Kirbi,

Hi & Welcome to the site!!

Not every1 is Photosensitive. But, it is reccommended that All Lupies stay out of the sun.

The sun can bring on flares, differing symptoms- every1 is different when it comes to this.
& can affect us internally.

So, best not to sit in the sun, or outside for long. Always wear High SPF UVA & UVB Sunscreen, at least 30 spf. & always cover up- arms, legs, head, n such.

It's always best to take caution, rather than to suffer later on.

There are many thread on this- if u do a search n set the date to any u will get many results. Actually, there is a recent thread going on right now, i believe in either symptoms forum or Living w/ Lupus forum on Photosensitivity, and the side effects people get from the sun.

Also, if u go to the front of this site- by clicking on the Lupus Site, under the butterfly, top left of page- u can read up on this illness, n get a lot of info. including regarding the sun.
Always good to inform yourself of 1's illness- it's very important to have that knowledge.

Take care, all the best,
Alicia :coffee:

[henrietta]

yea its true i'm 20, and i was diagnosed a little over a year ago this was my first summer, i really wanted to enjoy it cos last summer was spent in hospital. i want out in the sun, with sunblock as my doctor suggested(low factor though) and i had a flare up, moslty rash and fatigue. it depends u should see how it goes cos every1 is different

[Angel_gurl]

hi kirby im 13 and have had lupus since i was eight the sun effects me by giving me extremely bad sunburns very quickley well stay safe and healthy :love: B) :cloud9: :welcome: :wiggle: :o ;) :P :D :lol: :) ( :unsure: :wacko: :blink: :wave: :thumbs: :hehe: :halo: :hyper: :woohoo: i like smilies and so should you woohoo

[plj]

I'm in almost 47 years old. While growing up I layed out in the sun almost daily for hours each time. Once I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, I thought my tanning days were over. There are summers when I can't handle the sun, but there are other years when it really doesn't bother me. Like this year. I was able to be out in the sun all summer with no problem. The past couple weeks, however, I've had one bad lupus flare. But I think it was more stress related than sun related. I do notice that if I'm out in the sun and it's really hot and humid, I suffer from it. So I stay out of the sun when it's like that.

You should always take heed to what your doctor tells you though. Ask if you can still enjoy being outside if you stay in the shade.

Take care, plj

[Lily]

Hi everyone,

Alicia makes an excellent point about photosensitivity. It's not always obvious to us there is a problem. Lupus can do damage to kidneys etc. without us noticing any particular signs. So unless your doc is monitoring you closely for kidney involvement or other signs of disease advancement then it's not advisable to just assume the sun isnt causing any problems.

love
Lily

[Scarlet Wolf]

OH, my yes! The sun makes me incredibly ill. It gives me a rash, fever, nausea, migraine, and afterward I go into a horrible flair. Please be careful when you have to be in the sun. Wear sunblock, long sleeves, a hat, etc.

Hugs,
Scarlet Wolf

[Hadley]

:hissy: :welcome: :hissy:

Welcome,
I suggest you wear sunscreen all the time and with a high spf. I get very tired, sleepy, and lethargic in the sun. Also the last two weeks when I have mowed the yard I have noticed a rash on my face. Even with sunscreen, and taking plaquenil and prednisone. Also, florescent lights affect me by making me tired and druggy .
Just exercise caution is my advice...and don't forget the sunscreen :notlook:

[Michelle84]

Originally posted by kirbi@Aug 31 2005, 12:33 AM
i was wondering if anyone knows if the sun really hurts you? im 17 and my doc tells me to stay out of the sun...but i love the sun and i love being outside. if someone could email me or something and tell me id apperiacte it! thanks ~Kirbi
Kirbi

I love the sun and being outside too and it doesn't hurt me (yet)...I have Raynauds so my hands realy enjoy the sun :)

[chiche]

Hi! i'm also 17!! :D back in year 8, the sun had caused a pretty bad (allergic?) reaction where the skin on my face and arms (or anywhere with sun exposure) started to flake off..a lot. it took a few weeks of treatment before it stopped. so now i'm really wary of staying in the sun for too long.

[tooyoungtobesick]

Your attitude of the sun is exactly what we dealt with this summer with my 19 year old daughter. The kidney doctor after getting her on meds said she could resume normal activity. We assumed that meant going swimming or to theme parks. We made it through most of the summer without too much going on. Sarah just had a face rash on cheeks. By August the face rash began to grow. Eventually it covered her entire face. It was extremely red and swollen but didn't seem to cause much discomfort initially. The rash slowly begin to spread to upper arms and chest. She continued normal activities because she thought she could. The final blow was one more trip in the sun at this point. An all day outing started making her feel sick and fatigued and she was done. The next day she was debilitated and in bed. Over the next two to three weeks grew a progression of a all over imflamed splotchy rash that went from one part of the body to the next finally hitting the bottom of her feet making walking painful. The rash burned and itched at the same time. Anyway about a month later she is finally healing and has a new respect for her limitations. This is called learning the hard way. She is depressed
about her new found knowledge of her limitations in the sun which hadn't been pointed out until it was too late by a dermatologist we went to see who offered no relief by the way. I am currently working on getting my daughter to consider using an umbrella when going out as hats offer some protection but not enough. I have to convince her it is cool to carry one that has so far failed. She is obsessed with what others think and doesn't want to draw attention to herself. If carrying an umbrella outdoors in the sun became a fashion rage it would be great until then staying indoors seems the best bet for now. Also modest clothing covering all skin possible and sunscreen also will help. You want to avoid this type of rash I assure you because the medical profession has little to offer when it happens.

[kirbi]

I really appericate all of yalls posts. i guess i might need to stay outta the sun but it is just soooo hard. but i wish everyone good luck with lupus and i pray for everyone.

~Kirbi

[*tEsSaBeAr15*]

hey
im tessa and im 15 and was diagnosed on aug 3 ,05 with lupus and the doctors told me the same exact thing and i am really mada t the fact that im a teenage ghurl and i cant b in the sun !!! i luv the sun n i had a really good tan and everything and now i have to give up the sun ... it sux ... but i was jus writeing to u to tell u that i kno how u feel !!!
sincerly tessa

[Deborah Rumbles]

:wave: Hiya just wanted to tell you that I'm 36 and have avoided the sun for most of my life through symptoms of lupus,but because I've had little sun exposure my skin looks much younger than other folk my age, so it's a blessing to look young, of course I can relate to you all being young teenagers and wanting to go outdoors, you can just use a very strong prescribed sun screen, I get factor 60 from my GP and wear it every day sunny or not. As the suns rays can still harm you even if not seen or felt.As for tans well I buy out of a bottle for special occasions, like if I wear a dress or low top.It's good to be mistaken for someone of 28 which happens all the time to me.Protect yourself now when your skin is young and beautiful and you will have good skin forever.Good luck to you all. :love:

[mellowflyer]

Well I can relate to what your feeling...

Do take care of yourself