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How would you know if you're sun sensative...

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Lupus
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Posted 6/2/2008 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
if you have Lupus? And, do ay other parts of your body get rashes besides your face? How do you know when you're in a flare? I'm sorry for the ignorance, I just need a little help. Thank you.
Posted 6/2/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Rashes anywhere, fever, exhaustion after sun exposure, aches and pains you didn't have before you got in the sun, sensitive eyes, red spots after just a few minutes in the sun....a feeling of "swollen" skin... A flare is any symptom you haven't had the previous day!!! Well, okay, it's a little more exact than that....if you have several symptoms pop up at once that haven't been around for a while, it probably means you're in a flare -- maybe mild, maybe it lasts longer....flares can be triggered by the lupus deciding you need a bad day, by stress or overexertion, by too much sun, lack of sleep, too much or not enough food, food that doesn't agree w/you....almost everyone has their own set of triggers....
Posted 6/2/2008 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Lynn explained it perfectly. I usually get a rash on my thighs and have had them on my chest. I also get very fatigued and a headache. I hope we have answered your question. Take care
Posted 6/2/2008 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
You both have, thank you very much
Posted 6/2/2008 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jenisis,

 

I'm one who doesn't get any rashes from the sun.  I'm a redhead too!  So I"m extra sensitive.  But for me, I know I've had too much sun when I just feel crappy.  I get that flu type feeling, really tired, no energy.  I use lots of sunscreen and apply it often so I won't burn.  I'm a wedding photographer.  I was out in the sun for an outdoor ceremony and the formals after this past Saturday.  I definitely felt the effects of that the next day.  No rashes or sunburn, but I felt like poop.  So the symptoms are different for everyone.

 

Ginny

 

Posted 6/3/2008 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I found out I was sun sensitive when I ended up getting rashes and also when my lupus symptoms got worse after I had been in the sun. Not only did my malar rash get worse, but I would get rashes on my arms and chest and neck and sometimes my feet. A lot of us are sun sensitive, but some of us are not, so be really careful in the sun if you are not sure and always wear lots and lots of sunscreen. Like everyone else said, a flare is when most or all of your lupus symptoms get worse when they weren't there before. For me, I usually have a certain level of pain and fatigue that I live with and the malar rash too. Whenever the pain and fatigue get worse and I get a fever and my hair starts falling out and I get mouth sores, then I know I'm flaring. Don't feel bad about asking questions - I had all the same ones after I got sick. There are still times I'm not sure if I'm flaring or if maybe I have the flu, so I come here and ask my trusty healingwell friends what they think.
Posted 6/3/2008 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys. So...the only symptoms I have that would seem to be Lupus like, are these rashes I get on my arms and sometimes my chest when it gets warm...although sometimes it pops up in the winter, too. I'm extrmemely fatigued all of the time; and the pain, It seems to be located in my hips, my knee(right one), and lower back. Then I guess it just radiates to muscles elsewhere. I don't seem to feel bad in the sun, I just hate too much sun and heat anyway, but when bad weather approaches, boy do I get inflamed. Until my ANA test came back, I thought everything was from my Lyme disease..which brought out Fibro., but my ANA says my levels are risen for Lupus. I never had mouth sores, no rash on the face,my hair never has fallen out, and I've had these weird rashes since 94. Weird, I know. Who knows what's actually wrong with me. Maybe I do have Lupus and its extremely mild. I feel like I can never get a def. answer. I have a rheumy. appointment very soon.
Posted 6/3/2008 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
With rashes, pictures are very helpful (get as closeup as you can) since they often change before we make it to the dr. You might also consider a dermatologist. Cheers,
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