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Sunscreen and flaring bc of sun

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Posted 5/27/2013 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
I was just diagnosed with UCTD. How do you know if the sun is a trigger for you? The only sun thing I know I have is if I get a sunburn the area stays pink for like up to two years. I know this sounds crazy but I swear it is true. But my sister who does not have any dx disorders says she does this too. We both are very pale. I actually used baby powder as make up in high school.

Also if I do need to start wearing sunscreen I need to know good ones that are good for skin. I have extremely sensitive skin. I saw that things like aveeno are now making sunscreen. Can anyone recommend one for sensitive skin. Also a good one for the face. I know this is bad but I need a light one because I only wash my face in the shower and because of my eczema I cannot shower everyday. So I don't want something that will give me pimples if I don't wash it off. I might just have to face it and change my routine and wash my face in the sink.

Thank you all so much for being kind to me. I know I don't have Lupus so I hope it is ok to post here since my condition is similar. I know some other members have my condition so I would assume it is.
Posted 5/27/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Of course it's okay for you to join us here!

If the sun is a trigger you will get a red, swollen reaction and feel very tired & drained - sometimes for me it's a heat reaction rather than the sun itself.

I use "Olay complete moisture lotion UV defense sensitive skin" for my face, and I don't seem to have issues with skin reactions despite being pale and sensitive. That and water are the only things I ever put on my face.

The biggest thing is to avoid the sun!!! Keep to the shade, wear protection (lots of sun protective clothing available these days, strongest sun screen you can tolerate), stay away from water & those strong sun reflections, stay away from the hours 12-4...

Be sure to keep hydrated as well. No sun bathing!
Posted 5/27/2013 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have UCTD/MCTD and am pretty sun sensitive - I get rashes and fevers from the sun. I have been suspecting that sunscreen has been irritating my skin, so this weekend after doing some research, I bought a zinc oxide sunscreen. The product I bought is Banana Boat Natural Reflect (for kids), but I didn't get the usual rash last night after doing a little yardwork yesterday. For my face, I use DML Face Moisturizer. It was recommended by my derm to help with my dry, itchy skin and has SPF 25. If I am outside, I try to stick to shady areas or morning/late afternoon hours.

I completely understand about having a skin area that stays pink, I had one on my arm that was pink for months. Once my immune system got calmed down by the plaquenil, this seemed to clear up.
Posted 5/27/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have sensitive skin myself and I can't tolerate sunscreen very well so I buy my clothing at coolibar.com.
Their clothing is 50+ spf and they are lightweight so you're not too hot in the summer.
I wear heavy blue jeans or sweats with the sun shirts, hat, and gloves. I have their head scarf too for long car trips to wrap my face up in. Don't forget polarized sunglasses.
I've found out halogen lights (used in the dentist's lamp) will make me so ill.
Posted 5/28/2013 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
So if you do not get a rash then sun is not a problem? I have not found what triggers being exhausted. Right now I feel exhausted everyday for the last few years. Which I guess isn't possible since it should happen in flares. Thanks everyone
Posted 5/28/2013 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I don't get rashes, I just get red, swollen, and feel like someone pulled the plug on me.

I do feel like I have a bad sunburn with prolong exposure.
Posted 5/28/2013 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Since you have just been diagnosed you are probably just starting out with the meds to control your illness and decrease your fatigue. In 2-3 months you should start feeling better, and at that point you will see how the sun affects your fatigue level. For now, try to avoid anything that puts stress on your body.

Stressors include, but are certainly not limited to: sun, excessive heat, poor food choices (sugar & fat), doing too much, worrying too much, ....

If at all possible, cut back on your activities and let your body catch up from all the stress it's been under - the meds will take a while to kick in, and they need all the help they can get.

(I'm assuming they are giving you meds to help get the situation under control?? You didn't mention any....)
Posted 5/30/2013 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I think I definitely have found that sun or heat is a trigger. Do not know which. I went out today to run a few errands. I was in and put of the car a few times. Never in the sun too long except what you get in the car but it was well over 90 degrees. As the day went on muscles started to cramp. I felt fatigue. I was so hot. By the time I got home I was exhausted.

This caused me to realize every summer I get sensitive to the heat. I have always racked it up to being over weight. I guess you can tell I did not pay much attention to it since I forgot. I got some sunscreen and face sunscreen. Hopefully that will help. Is there a way to tell if it is the sun or the heat?
Posted 5/30/2013 7:41 AM (GMT 0)
Sit by a window or hold hand near a CF bulb. A CF bulb will make my hand feel like it's burning or hurting.
If you feel a reaction it's the sun (UV rays).
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