Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Reduce your exposure to the sun and to some sources of artificial light (especially fluorescent and halogen bulbs). The skin of people with lupus is very sensitive to the UV light that comes from these sources.

Limit outdoor activity between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This may mean a big change in your lifestyle if you work or play outdoors a lot.

Wear sunscreen on exposed areas of skin. It should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. To be sure that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, look for one labeled broad-spectrum protection, or look for ingredients such as micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that block both UVA and UVB.

Wear sunscreen all year round and on cloudy days as well as on sunny days. Also wear it indoors if you spend a lot of time in a room with many windows (UVA rays can penetrate glass).

Wear protective clothing, such as hats with wide brims and clothing made of tightly woven material. Thin, loosely woven material allows UV light to penetrate to the skin. If you are very sensitive to the sun, you may want to try specially designed UV- protective clothing.

Be aware of fluorescent light and halogen lamps. Found in many places, they include floor lamps, overhead lights, photocopiers, and slide projectors. Sunscreen and protective clothing can help. If you work in an office that has fluorescent lights, ask whether you can remove the bulbs directly over your work area, and use a desk lamp if necessary.