Are you a woman with lupus? If so, your skin health is of utmost importance. The effects of lupus can cause debilitating symptoms, making it difficult to stay on top of everyday tasks and keep yourself feeling healthy in general.
Keeping your skin nourished and protected from the effects of lupus can be challenging, but there’s good news – it isn’t impossible! In this article, we’ll provide you with some useful tips and strategies for keeping your skin in good condition while living with lupus. Read on to learn more about how best to protect yourself!
Understand the Causes of Lupus
Understanding the causes of lupus can be complicated, as the exact mechanisms for why it develops remain elusive. While it seems to occur more commonly amongst women of childbearing age, men and children can also suffer from the condition. Additionally, both environmental triggers and genetic predisposition appear to contribute to its development, making it a difficult autoimmune disease to prevent.
In order to better support those affected by lupus, medical professionals are continuously researching potential causes, treatments, and outcomes in order to better understand this chronic health issue. Learning more about why and how lupus develops is key to understanding how to best protect yourself or those you care about who may be living with lupus.
Invest in Sun Protective Clothing
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, it is critical to invest in sun-protective clothing. Hats, sunglasses, and other garments featuring ultraviolet protection can go a long way to keeping your skin healthy. Although sunscreen should be the first defense against the sun’s rays, incorporating UV-resistant items into your wardrobe can provide a sturdy shield against harsh sunlight. Fortunately, many brands now offer shirts, swimwear, and even undergarments that come ready with UV protection. This layer of added defense makes it easier than ever to stay safe in the sun’s glare.
Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential tool in our skin protection arsenal – and for good reason! Wearing sunscreen can provide your skin with a protective barrier against the harsh UV rays from the sun. Unprotected, these intense rays can cause skin damage such as wrinkles, freckles, and other signs of premature aging.
Even if it’s cloudy or the temperature is cool, you should still wear sunscreen; UV rays can penetrate through even heavy clouds or during cooler temperatures. Taking strong preventive measures like wearing sunscreen regularly is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. So make sure you slather on some sunscreen before you head outside so your skin is safe from unwelcome damage!
Avoid Tanning Beds
Tanning beds can be very tempting if you’re trying to get a golden glow this summer, but it’s important to know the risks involved. Not only have tanning salons been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer, but they are also extremely hazardous for those with lupus.
Exposure to artificial ultraviolet (UV) light of any kind further irritates lupus-affected skin and can cause an exacerbation of symptoms such as rashes and inflammation. The safest way to build color is to use a non-toxic self-tanner, so stick with that rather than bringing the sun indoors with harmful tanning beds.
Stay Hydrated
It’s no secret that water is good for your health, but did you know it’s also important for maintaining healthy skin? Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day is essential because it helps keep your skin moisturized and looking its best. Water helps replenish dry skin from the inside out and can help reduce any flaking or peeling.
So be sure to drink enough water every day. Not only will it help keep your skin feeling fresh and radiant, but you’ll also feel less fatigued due to dehydration and have improved mental clarity too – a little goes a long way!
Monitor Your Skin Regularly
Checking your skin regularly is a key part of looking out for any red flags that could be associated with lupus. It’s important to know what’s typical for you so it will be easier to spot any changes. Gently and thoroughly inspect every inch of your skin on a regular basis, from the scalp down to your toes. Be mindful of lumps or other bumps, rashes, patches, discoloration, and sores – particularly if they persist over time.
If anything does appear, document it with pictures and take note of your symptoms while speaking to your doctor as soon as possible. Even if something doesn’t look serious now, catching warning signs early can help you manage the condition in the future.
Taking these precautionary steps may be tedious, but are critical for those with lupus. Even though you can’t prevent or cure lupus, you can take steps to manage your symptoms and help keep yourself safe in the sun. As always, make sure to consult a medical professional if you have any questions or concerns about your skin or how to best protect it.
After all, detecting and treating the early warning signs of lupus are key to protecting yourself and your health – and knowing what signs to look for is the first step. Whether you have been recently diagnosed with lupus or want a refresher on prevention tips, using these guidelines can help ensure that you’re making proactive decisions in managing your condition every day.