Lupus Sun Sensitivity- Don’t Feel Like A Vampire

Does your lupus sun sensitivity ever make you feel like a vampire? Has the sun become your mortal enemy?

At times, that’s how I feel. Like, even the thought of being out in the sun makes me want to burst into flames. And, it’s such a shame.

I used to love the sun. Really, I practically grew up outside. Then, one day being in the sun made me sick. And, cue the depression because I thought I had to give up my favorite pastimes.

And, once I was diagnosed with lupus (yes, I’m a man with lupus). I finally understood why. Plus, I learned how to remove that vampire-like feeling.

Here’s what I learned.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I’m an individual that suffers from lupus. All content found on lupusisgoingdown.com, including text, images, audio, or other formats, were created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The Photosensitivity Problem

It’s those pesky UV rays- UVA and UVB, to be exact. Ultraviolet rays from the sun damage your cells. Normally, your body has a process for getting rid of damaged cells.

It’s called apoptosis. Basically, it’s the body’s way of killing off damaged cells and removing them from the body. In fact, it’s often referred to as programmed cell death.

In most people, it follows a typical pattern. But, not for people with lupus.

No, our bodies act differently. Instead of the cellular cleanup, our damaged cells hang around. And, this sends our immune system into hyper drive.

The result- a lupus flare.

Now, I’m not a doctor or a scientist. This is just from what I learned from my own studies into my disease. You see, I’ve always had a problem with the standard “not much is known about lupus” answer. So, I’ve read up on the studies being conducted and papers being writing on lupus.

Does that make me an expert? No. That makes me a lupus patient. Even better, it makes me an informed lupus warrior.

Of course, this positive outlook didn’t come immediately. Initially, after being diagnosed, I went through a severe bout of depression. My world had been turned upside down.

I mean, I had to give up the life I had known, or so I thought. No more going to the beach, the lake, or the river. I live by so much water, and I thought I had to give it all up.

Like I said, I felt like a vampire- avoid the sun at all costs. Or, suffer the consequences.

The Effects of UV Rays on Lupus

And, what were those consequences?

Here are some things that lupus photosensitivity can cause:

skin rashes or lesions
itching and burning sensation of the skin
fatigue
weakness
fever
joint pain
headaches
organ damage in severe cases

Basically, sun exposure can trigger a lupus flare. Indeed, it can increase disease activity with lupus.

Does this happen to everyone with lupus? No, lupus sun sensitivity effects about 2/3 of everyone with lupus. And, it effects everyone differently.

For example, some people experience a triggering of the butterfly rash. While others, get rashes on other parts of their body.

Going in another direction, some get headaches, while others don’t. Likewise, some feel so drained after being in the sun, while some hurt so bad.

So, how do you know if you suffer from photosensitivity? If you experience any of these symptoms after sun exposure, see your doctor. Clinical examination and your patient history are the only way to determine if you are among the number of lupus patients with photosensitivity.

As with other symptoms of lupus, it’s the pattern that doctor looks for.

My Experience with Lupus Sun Sensitivity

Like I said earlier, before lupus I used to be a sun worshipper. From sun up to sundown, I could be found outside. Then, I got sick.

Actually, it was a particular incident when I was in middle school that led to my lupus diagnosis. I was at summer camp, and we had been playing games outside all day. When we went to dinner that evening, I had a headache and was feeling nauseous.

The camp nurse thought I was suffering from heat exhaustion. She told me to hydrate and go lie down. Then, she called my mom. Mom, being vigilant, came and got me and took me to the doctor.

You see, I had already been experiencing other symptoms of lupus. My joints were hurting and inflamed. My stomach was swollen and my reflux was bad. And, I was already on anti-seizure medication.

So, the doctor checked my skin. Sure enough, it looked like I had hives. And, the doctor hospitalized me for further tests.

And, that’s when I was diagnosed with lupus.

So, for me, sun exposure doesn’t cause the butterfly rash (I don’t get that much anyways). Instead, I break out all over. And, I get so tired and weak. My head pounds. And, I feel like throwing up.

My whole body hurts. It’s more than just my joints. My muscles hurt.

Moving hurts. Lying still hurts. Overall, I just hurt. And, I run a fever.

What Helps

So, I began a campaign on staying indoors during the day. But, that didn’t totally help either. Especially, if I was at school with the fluorescent lights.

Besides, I couldn’t live like a vampire my whole life. Finally, years later, I arrived at a point where I had to do something. Lupus had taken enough of my life.

So, after research and talking to my doctor, this is what I find helps with photosensitivity with lupus:

Wear protective clothing- Buy sun protective clothing with a UPF of 25 to 50 or higher. Dark-colored and tightly woven fabric like polyester work better. Be sure to wear long sleeves and pants, if possible.
Wear sunscreen- And, I mean constantly. Use an SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure it is broad spectrum and hypoallergenic. And, reapply every couple of hours. Use at least an ounce and apply 30 minutes before you go out.
Use shade- If you can’t be under trees or awnings, use an umbrella. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Stay out of peak UV times- That’s between 10 am and 4 pm. Also, be careful of cloudy days. Clouds don’t filter UV rays.

I know, the outfit can look ridiculous, but safety is what’s important. I’d rather look silly than trigger a flare.

Plus, I don’t have to give up on my favorite activities.

By the way, ladies, if you’re looking for a great sun protective hat, check out my post– 5 Best Women’s Sun Protective Hats. These hats are all rated UPF50+. And, you look good wearing them.