Lupus and the Summer Sun: Protect Your Skin from Photosensitivity
Lupus causes all kinds of grief. In the summer, many people with Lupus must also contend with photosensitivity, an extreme sensitivity to sunlight which is caused by some medical conditions and drugs.
Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, is a disease which causes chronic inflammation in connective tissue. Lupus most often hits women between 20 and 50 years of age.
Photosensitivy can affect areas of skin that have been exposed to sun. Skin lesions will often emerge on these areas. The lesions can be lumps, plaques, purple areas, and red scaly patches of skin. They can eventually cause scarring and loss of skin pigment, even hair loss.
Dermatitis in the form of skin rashes can appear, usually on the face, upper chest and outer arms.