Summer is here and it’s bringing the heat! For many people with lupus, summer can be a difficult time. You don’t want to miss out on summer fun, but also don’t want to risk triggering a flare-up. Not to worry! Over the past three years of adapting my life to living with lupus, I have made the perfect “toolbox” so I can enjoy my time in the sun, and not risk going into a flare-up.
What is lupus
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease where the body attacks its own healthy tissues mistaking them for foreign invaders.
Symptoms of lupus
- butterfly rash
- joint pain
- joint stiffness
- joint swelling
- fatigue
- fever
- sensitivity to sunlight
- hair loss
- dry eyes
Before going into any type of heat staying hydrated is of utmost importance. This article is only covering products that make my life easier in the summer. Always talk with your doctor they will let you know how to properly hydrate and prepare for the heat!
Being out in the sun with lupus can be very uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. Build your “toolbox” with me today. Let’s survive the summer heat together!
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I refused to invest in a quality water bottle because I didn’t think it could make much of a difference. Besides at the time, $50 water bottles were all the rage. Spending that much on a water bottle brings me physical pain. But you don’t have to break the bank to have a nice water bottle and It does make all the difference. I couldn’t stop at just one I now have multiple of this exact bottle. That’s just how good it is! There are a few notable reasons why I recommend this one; the price, keeps your water cold for 6 hours, comes with three additional lids, good color variety, and they are very durable. I find myself drinking more water when I have a cute water bottle and for $25 it’s more than worth it for me!
Finding an SPF that didn’t cause me to break out took years. I will also throw in this disclaimer about this product…….I know it’s expensive for an SPF. I wouldn’t have tried it to begin with if it hadn’t been given to me as a gift. But I honestly don’t mind spending the money on it now. There are very few products I will splurge on and this is one of the few. It doesn’t leave a white cast, is gentle, fragrance-free, and easy to find. The only downside is the price in my opinion, but it’s better than having a breakout every time you need to wear SPF. A drug store option you can check out is the CeraVa Am moisturizer.
A good full coverage foundation that is gentle on the skin is a MUST. The one I have linked has SPF in it. I still wear SPF as a base, but I feel like layering is what protects my face the most. I use to struggle to ride in a car without tinted windows before I realized wearing a full coverage foundation protected my face. I know it’s a pain and can be expensive to use frequently. But to me, it’s worth it not having a butterfly rash hours after being in the sun, and being able to enjoy the outdoors. Without foundation on my skin it feels like it’s burning under the sun.
Since getting my first mini fan I now have collected 7+. I keep one in every bag I use because I never want to be caught without one again. My mini fan collection has gotten a little out of control…..BUT now I have found the best in my opinion. Which would be this mini fan. I think it takes the cake because it’s rechargeable. I was going through batteries like crazy when I got my first few mini fans. But I quickly learned I could not afford how fast I was going through batteries. This one is the only fan I’ve found that doesn’t lose its power. It’s still just as powerful as the day I got it, and it has kept its spot as number one for months now.
At first, I didn’t want to try a UV umbrella because I didn’t want to look silly. But let me let you in on a little secret. There is NO SHAME in the UV umbrella game. Anytime I whip this bad boy out all my friends/family members are trying to get under it too. It has a reflective coating that keeps the air under the umbrella cool. And it blocks 99% of UV rays. If I’m going to be out in the sun at all I make sure to bring it with me. It’s super compact, doubles as a normal umbrella, and keeps me cool on hot days. If anything I wish I would have gotten one sooner.
A cool towel is the quickest way to bring down your overall body temperature. It’s cheap, effective, convenient to bring around with you, and gives quick relief from the heat. I really can’t find a con of a cool towel. I bring mine everywhere now….. Even on a walk with my dogs. It’s just the most convenient way I have found to beat the summer heat. They are easy to find as well most outdoor stores will sell some type of cooling towel, so even if you don’t decide to get one now, you can immediately go grab one from a store near you whenever! Unlike some of the other products on this list where you would have to wait a couple of days.
I always notice I react better to the heat when my biggest triggers are under control. For me, emotions/stress can send me into a flare-up quickly. So if I’m going to put any strain on my body I make sure my emotions are regulated and I have a healthy terrain!
Click here to be redirected to our resource library to get a copy of our free flare tracker. I track my diet, mood, exercises, element exposure, and etc. I will do a post soon on why it’s so important to keep track of your lifestyle habits with Lupus.
Missing out on summer activities in the hopes of avoiding flares can be upsetting. Take back your summer and beat the heat with us. Leave a comment below letting us know your tips and tricks on how to stay safe in the heat. We are always looking to grow our “toolbox”.
