Lupus, the Sun and UV Rays

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Lupus, the Sun and UV Rays

Pain is triggered by many things when you have lupus. The

main triggers are the weather .. and

the sun. Photosensitivity is one of the most aggravating triggers of the

disease. It doesn't take much exposure to ensure a reaction of pain.

Lupus patients are very sensitive to UV rays, especially

those who suffer from Discoid Lupus. It is a known trigger for a flare! That is

why it is so important to wear sunscreen when outside in the sun. But what most

people don't realize is, they should be wearing UV

protection inside stores as well.

UV rays from the sun can trigger reactions in the skin in

the form of a rash, or purple spots under the skin called pupura,

but will also cause muscle and joint pain.

People with Lupus must also be aware of

" hidden " UV rays as in Fluorescent lighting. If you work in an area

with fluorescent lighting, then you should be wearing a sun screen even while

working inside the building.

Also .. for those

of you who shop at Walmart or Kmart, most grocery

stores .. or ANY store that uses the fluorescent light

fixtures (long rectangle boxes with long tube-shaped light bulbs) .. please be aware that fluorescent lighting gives off UV rays

unless the fixture is fitted with a special lens.

Most fluorescent lighting can be covered with a

protective Plexiglas panel that allows light through but not the radiation that

triggers the pain. There is a UV protective panel available for fluorescent

lighting fixtures but because of cost, it is usually not installed in offices

and stores.

A two hour shopping spree in Walmart

is equivalent to a full hour in the sun. You don't get sunburned but you do get

the full hour of UV rays. Enough to trigger a flare of

itching, rashy skin, aching muscles, low grade fever,

and/or extreme fatigue.

And you thought the shopping itself was making you ill .. guess again!! It is the

lights in the store!

So go prepared .. wear your sunscreen .. use a hat or

a scarf .. and even though you may be tired from all

the walking, you wont begin a flare that will last for several days.

Computer screens also give off small amounts of UV

radiation. Most people are not affected by it, but people with lupus or other

photo sensitivities should take precautions. Especially if

you are in front of the screen for long periods of time (more than an hour at a

time, for days in a row).

The best thing you can purchase to help eliminate the

problem is a monitor anti-glare screen that fits over the monitor itself. It

knocks down the glare as well as blocks the UV rays. 3M company

makes several different kinds.

Limiting yourself to short periods of time in the sun

will help eliminate some of the pain, but wearing sunscreen is a must!

Sunscreen should be at least 30 SPF, with 45 SPF being a better choice.

For UV

filters that turn fluorescent light into a UV-safe natural light.

http://www.naturalux.com/

For a UV

filter for your computer monitor:

http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/MMMBF20XL.html

Medical Exemptions can be purchased from the Department of Motor Vehicles for

Lupus patients.

This exemption allows

you to put a darker window tinting on your vehicle that is normally allowed by

law. The exemption stays with the vehicle and upon sale of the vehicle, the

darker tinting must be removed.

To find out your state laws on auto window

tinting, go here:

http://www.autowindowtinting.com/stateLaws.ihtml

Then

double check your own state laws to make sure the laws have not been changed

since the site was updated.

Hugs,

Deanna