Photosensitivity and Lupus: How to Protect Yourself

Lupus and Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity is a common problem among lupus patients. If you have been diagnosed with lupus, you may have heard that keeping yourself protected from the sun is essential. Exposure to UV light can cause damage to anyone’s DNA, but lupus patients may be more sensitive to the damage from UV radiation.

I remember learning about the dangers of UV lighting for lupus when I was diagnosed with lupus, and I wondered how I could avoid it while in school. The unfortunate thing about UV light is that it is pretty much everywhere. Those lights that they use in schools and most offices are fluorescent lights which emit a sufficient amount of UV rays to cause flare-ups in lupus.

Why is UV Light Dangerous for Lupus Patients?

Like anyone, UV can damage the skin causing premature aging and skin cancer. When UV radiation occurs from sunlight or artificial lighting, it can cause cell damage. When the cells become damaged, the immune system works hard to clear the damaged cells. Unfortunately, people with lupus have a slower clearance rate. Typically, the clearance rate of the cells is 48 hours. Lupus patients can also be put on medications that can increase photosensitivity even more. These medications can include any of the following:

• Antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatories
• Blood pressure medications
• Immunosuppressives
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What Happens to Lupus Patients if They are Exposed to UV Light?

The effects of UV light will depend entirely on the individual. Some lupus patients report no side effects, while others mention various symptoms. Typical symptoms include:

• Rashes
• Fatigue
• Joint Pain
• Weakness
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According to an article in the journal Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine, reactions can kick in as far as three weeks after and can last anywhere from several days to several weeks. As a lupus patient, I like to play it safe and protect myself from UV lighting.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Your best line of defense will be to avoid UV rays altogether. Being that UV rays are practically everywhere, this is nearly impossible. UV rays can reach you from the safety of your own home through artificial light and even windows. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to protect yourself:

• Plan activities where you will be in the sun in the early morning and evening. The sun’s UVB rays are the strongest between 10 am and 2 pm.
• Continue using sun protection even when you are in the shade or during cloudy weather.
• A sunscreen with at least 30 SPF is recommended, but over 70 SPF is preferred. Using a “broad spectrum” sunscreen is the best as they protect against both types of damaging UV—UVA, and UVB.
• Plan to apply sunscreen daily, even if you do not plan on going outside.
• Sun protective clothing is excellent to add a layer of protection as it is created to reflect or absorb sunlight.
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Below you can find a few of my sun protective clothing and sunscreen recommendations.

To learn more about the story of my diagnosis with lupus you can check out this previous blog post. Subscribe to the newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest content.