Am I asking for it?

[lauralee77]

I've never had any lupus-related rashes from the sun or anything and I tan fairly easily. I have been laying out in the sun these past few weeks. I have been seriously depressed lately and being out in the sunlight makes me happy and seems to help lift the depression. I know this is probably stupid of me because people with lupus aren't supposed to be out in the sun, but if I've shown no signs of increased disease activity because of it and I don't get rashes, why not? Do any of you sunbathe or spend time in the sun?

[Shari Amiot]

Hi Lauralee,

My name is Shari and I have SLE. I was feeling very much like you and wanted to go out in the sun. I decided to mow the lawn and I seemed to feel alright so I thought why not. It took a week but eventually the Lupus monster caught up with me. I started to get the rash on my chest and upper arms then my legs. I thought that it would pass but instead my blood vessels started to rupture and I began to feel pretty lousy! I have just completed my first round of prednisone and it seems to have brought things back under control but I've learned my lesson. Just because it doesn't show right away doesn't mean that it's always safe.

Try going outside but wear sunblock.

Take care,
Shari

[wifajax]

Hi Laura!

I don't get rashes from the sun, although the redness on my face and neck does intensify in the sun. BUT, the rest of my symptoms get worse after being in the sun, and it took me a while to put two and two together. For example, I first developed pain in the joints of my hands a couple of days after a sunburn. That was the wake-up call for me.

No, not everyone with lupus will be sensitive to the sun. You may become more sensitive over time, though.

Only you can decide if the benefit you feel from sunbathing is worth the risk in your case.

Terri

[Fishaholic]

You may be taking a risk, as you know that for a lot of people it can induce flares. However photosensitivity can vary greatly from person to person. Only you can make the decision of how much risk you are prepared to take.

One note of caution: I have always been careful and covered up. I wear long sleeves and trousers all through the summer, and sun cream on any exposed skin. I did this even though my photosensitivity was fairly mild (just increased rash and sore eyes). But even with my precautions, it has got a lot worse. Last year I got sick (sore joints, muscles, night sweats, neuro symptoms) and had terrible pain on the backs of my hands because I didn't think to suncream them! (and no, it wasn't sunburn, lol!) style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crying.gif

So yes, I think you are taking a risk but I sincerely hope you will be one of the lucky ones. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[crm1209]

Hi, Lauralee,

I'm not photosensitive (don't get rashes in the sun and it doesn't seem to cause flares), but I avoid spending a lot of time in the sun because the doctor advised that some of the medications I take can increase sun sensitivity (and can increase the risk for skin cancer, which is increased by sun exposure...). I'm not sure if you're on any meds that might increase risks for problems with sun exposure, but thought I'd mention it just in case.

I've also had melanoma (caught very early, and all is ok), and that was quite a scare. So, I don't cover up or avoid the sun at all costs, but I do avoid it midday, I don't sunbathe, and I wear sunscreen daily, especially during our 100+ degree Texas summer days!

Glad you're enjoying the outdoors,

Renee

[pauline1946]

everyone is different, only you can awnser that question.

[CTuit]

I agree, only you can make the choice. Keep an eye on your symptoms to see if they worsen, ask the doc if any of your meds cause increased sun sensitivity and wear plenty of sunscreen. If you feel ok and don't have any problems then go ahead and enjoy the sun. Do remember though that things can change. I haven't had a problem with the sun since I started having symptoms about three years ago, this year however its started to become an issue. I agree with you though that being out in the sun does tend to increase the spirits.

[keebler]

<span style="font-family:Courier New"><span style="color:#339999"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Just because we can't see it or feel it being out in the sun doesn't mean that it isn't harming us. If you do a search on the boards you will find a ton of info on this subject.
For myself I'm staying out of the sun and playing it safe. My cardio even talked about being in the sun to me and how bad it was for my lupus.
Take care,
Keebler</span></span></span>

[Clare.T]

We all have to decide what's best for us and if need be how to compromise.

Now that I'm back in the UK I spend time looking after my GDD and inevitably I'm out far more than is good for me. With that and with driving again I'm going to have to wear a special scarf under my sunhat to protect my jawline.

I have a type 2 skin as far as colouring and ease of tanning goes, out of the 5 or 6 categories 1 being the lowest. It must be very hard if you love the sun, tan without problem and have an outdoorsy life style to decide what best to do.

Skin lupus can start at any time and it seems that photosensitivity can too. Dark skin doesn't appear to be an additional safety factor- there are as many people with African ancestry with discoid lupus as whites.
Strangely enough it's said that subacute is more common among those of northern european ancestry.

If I already had lupus I would be very worried about getting skin lupus because it is so miserable living with it. Look how upsetting hair loss is, even to those who have severe systemic involvement.

I am fairly sure that the risk of skin cancer would make me very cautious even if I didn't have the lupus concern. One out of five Americans has a brush with skin cancer. My daughter doesn't have lupus and tans beautifully despite being blue eyed, but she does have rosacea and having seen the mess of my face, she's manic about sun protection for herself and her mixed race daughter.
I think I would be very careful indeed about exposing myself in the peak UV hours and prudent the rest of the time.

Apart from anything else, look at the faces of older women who have spent their lives in the sun. Tanned indeed - like hide.

Good luck with your choices.

Clare

[raggedyann1]

Laura,

The first 6 or 7 years I had lupus I didn't have problems with the sun. Then I went into a nice long remission and when I came out of it 3.5 years ago I became pretty photosensitive. In those early years I didn't lay out and sunbathe very much but I did spend time outdoors doing outdoors activities. In those days the internet was just in its infancy. Knowing what I know today I would have done a better job with sunscreen, hats and covering up as much as possible. I would also avoid the hottest part of the day as far as sitting out or anything. I would suggest that you make it more occasional and don't do direct laying out to tan type things. It is your decision. Have you discussed this with your rheumy?

Take care,
Karen

[peonyprincess]

Lauralee,



I can totally understand the whole sun issue. My daughter and I love being out in the sun and getting that nice tan. We still go out in the sun, only we reapply the wonderful suntan lotion every two hours unless it is really hot and we have really worked up a sweat then I apply more lotion on our bods every hour. We still get some sun and have a light tan, not one that I would like, however, I will take what I can get and Madi really doesn't care one way or the other. And when all else fails, I use the tanning lotion put out by Jergens.




Nancy