Climate and lupus The study showed that high temperatures could affect symptoms related to the joints and the blood, as well as rashes, and cold temperatures could affect symptoms linked to the kidneys.
Lupus and Summer Weather
Sun and heat exposure can cause symptoms to flare up because when UVA or UVB rays hit the skin, inflammation in the cells naturally occurs and often sets off a chain reaction of other symptoms.
Researchers have shown that lupus tends to flare in spring and summer, when the days are warmer and sunnier.
Previous research has shown significant seasonal variation in lupus disease activity, such as renal flares being more common in the winter months and increased arthritis symptoms occurring in the spring and summer months; but this is the first study that looked at the link between organ-specific lupus flares and ...
People with lupus should not stay in the sun for extended periods and should make every effort to avoid UV rays outside, which are at their peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Don't be fooled by an overcast day, because clouds don't filter out all of the sun's UV rays. Keep track of the time you spend in the sun.
Based on what researchers have discovered so far, milder climates may benefit people with lupus and might help reduce the severity or number of flares. These include places that do not experience extreme increases or decreases in temperature and are not very humid or windy.
A fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit affects many people with lupus. The fever is often caused by inflammation or infection. Lupus medicine can help manage and prevent fever.
Enjoy a symptom-free summer
To avoid heat-related flare-ups, stay in an air-conditioned or well-cooled environment. Because lupus medications can make your skin cells less photosensitive that they would be otherwise, it's important to continue taking any prescription medications as directed through the summer months.
There are several possible reasons for those with lupus to become heat intolerant. Studies have shown that those with autoimmune diseases have high levels of free radical nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a chemical that is naturally produced by the body for quickly dilating blood vessels when necessary.
Common triggers include:
Being out in the sun or having close exposure to fluorescent or halogen light. Infection. Injury. Stopping your lupus medicines.
While a person's genes may increase the chance that he or she will develop lupus, it takes some kind of external trigger to set off the illness or to bring on a flare. Other known triggers can include infections, colds or viral illnesses, exhaustion, severe exposure to ultraviolet rays, or an injury.
Many lupus patients aren't able to do intensive physical work, like waitressing or working in a grocery store. Jobs that involve standing for long periods, like working a cash register, greeting customers, or being a hostess at a restaurant, can be physically tiring as well as rough on the joints.
The sun's UV rays can be damaging for anyone. But those with lupus who have photosensitivity should be extra careful when it comes to protecting themselves against the sun, as well as certain artificial lights. That's because UV exposure can lead to new or worsening lupus symptoms.
Lupus may get worse very quickly. There is no way to tell when a flare will happen or how bad it will be. When you have a lupus flare, you may have new symptoms as well as symptoms you have had in the past. Learn your body's signs of a flare, such as joint pain, a rash, a fever, or being more tired.
Many people with lupus experience fatigue, or feeling tired throughout the day. For some people, fatigue can make it hard to do everyday activities like taking a shower, cooking dinner, or going to work. The good news is there are steps you can take to feel better.
With age, symptom activity with lupus often declines, but symptoms you already have may grow more severe. The accumulation of damage over years may result in the need for joint replacements or other treatments.
Many people with lupus are photosensitive, meaning that their symptoms get worse as a result of sun exposure. About one-third of lupus patients have this problem; some end up with a butterfly-shaped rash across their nose and cheeks, or find that a rash they have gets worse.
People with lupus are more likely to experience infection and infection-related complications. This is because their immune system is weakened by both the disease and the medication used to treat it. The most common infections for people with lupus include those of the respiratory tract, skin and urinary system.
When your muscles or joints hurt, heat can help you feel better. Try taking a hot shower, soaking in a bath or hot tub, or placing a warm towel on the area that hurts. Build exercise into your daily routine. Moving your body for just a few minutes each day can help you to manage pain.
The effects lupus may have in and around the eyes include: changes in the skin around the eyelids, dry eyes, inflammation of the white outer layer of the eyeball, blood vessel changes in the retina, and damage to nerves controlling eye movement and affecting vision.
It's likely that lupus results from a combination of your genetics and your environment. It appears that people with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus. The cause of lupus in most cases, however, is unknown.
Lupus flares can vary in length. Some may last several days; others may span weeks or more.