Lupus and the Sun: Why UV Protection Matters
It’s officially summer! For many Michiganders, summer means spending time outdoors enjoying the lakes, beaches and the short-lived sunshine. However, for people living with lupus, ultraviolet (UV) light can trigger an overactive immune response that leads to flares, rashes, itching, burning, joint pain, fatigue, weakness and even organ damage. Protecting the skin from sun exposure is one of the most important ways lupus patients can help prevent disease activity.
UV rays can damage cells in anyone’s body, but if you have lupus, your immune system can’t clear out the dead cells caused by the sun and it attacks healthy cells instead.
Dr. J. Michelle Kahlenberg is Professor of Internal Medicine and Dermatology; Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Internal Medicine; and Director of the Michigan Lupus Program at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Kahlenberg’s extensive research has found, “In people with lupus, the cells are much more sensitive to the damage caused by UV radiation. Once the cells are damaged, the immune system clears them, but people with lupus have a much slower clearance of these cells.” These findings help explain why so many lupus patients develop cutaneous lupus, a form of the disease that causes painful and potentially disfiguring skin lesions. According to Dr. Kahlenberg, “normal” looking skin in lupus patients is often waiting to be triggered, making sun protection essential.
Both UVA and UVB rays cause problems, so formulations matter when choosing your sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are created equal for lupus-sensitive skin. Dr. Kahlenberg specifically recommends mineral-based formulations. “We encourage patients to use zinc and titanium-based sunscreens. These formulas work instantly because they sit on the surface of the skin, preventing sunlight from penetrating and they don't get absorbed,” Dr. Kahlenberg said. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide also block visible light, not just UV, providing an extra layer of protection some lupus patients need.
Sun Safety Tips for Those Living with Lupus:
Wear sun-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
Avoid peak sunlight hours between 10 am and 4 pm.
Use a high-SPF mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block harmful UV rays from being absorbed by the skin.
Spend time in the shade.
Ask your doctor if your medications increase photosensitivity.
Listen to your body. If you feel fatigued, develop a rash or experience joint pain after sun exposure, seek shade and rest.
These simple precautions can help people with lupus safely enjoy summer while reducing the risk of flares and long-term skin damage.