Lupus Flares

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Flareups of lupus can be triggered by many things, including sun

exposure, stress ( mental or physical) and infections (including viral

infections). The best and simplest way to stop a flare is to remove the

trigger - if you can. This means avoiding the sun and treating

infections as quickly as possible.

Mental and physical stress may be a bit harder to control! If a flare

begins, you should get extra rest to help your body cope with the

physical stress. Meditation and slow breathing exercises can help to

control mental stress.

Calming your breathing .. concentrating on keeping your breathing at a

steady pace is essential in managing stress. People always kid me about

my " yoga breathing " , but I have found that by concentrating on my

breathing keeps my heart rate down, my breathing easy, and my mind less

upset.

Contact your physician for in many cases a temporary change in your

medicines may " head-off " the flare before it gets established. A short

" bolus " or " increased dose " of prednisone may help to ward off more

severe flares.

Diffuse alopecia (hair loss) is the most common form of scalp problems

occurring with lupus flares. From my own personnel observations, a fair

number of individuals sustain some hair loss with moderate to severe

flares. Whether this will occur every time cannot be predicted.

Plaquenil and prednisone may help to prevent some of the loss when the

lupus becomes active.

Rashes and blemishes that leave scars are normal if you have discoid

lupus erythematosus (DLE). Prevention is first and foremost the most

important step; you need to control the inflammatory process.

Talk to your physician about Antimalarial therapy (hydroxychloroquine,

chloroquine, etc.) along with bursts of prednisone which, when you

flare, may help prevent further worsening of your skin problem. Avoid

sun exposure as ultraviolet rays can trigger attacks and make the malar

rash more intense. Camouflaging make-up can treat the scarring features.

Lupus patients are very prone to mouth lesions. These open sores can

occur in the mouth on the inside of the cheeks, the tongue, the gums,

and the lips.

It is imperative to determine what type of lesion it is. Is it a cold

sore caused by the herpes simplex virus? Is it the beginning of an

infection? Is it the beginning of thrush, a yeast infection that centers

in the mouth? Or are they lupus lesions? Your doctor can help you

determine which they are.

Colgate makes a product called Orabase Soothe and Seal as well as one

with Benzocaine. Both products will numb the area; while the Soothe and

Seal puts a light covering of medication over the area. Blistex will

work on lesions that occur on the lips or gum line.

Thrush (yeast infection) will need medical intervention with an

antifungal medication. Diflucan is a tablet that is taken orally, which

Mystatin Swish is a liquid that is swished around in the mouth.