With the seasons changing and the temperature dropping. It can be a rough time for people with lupus. Cold weather can trigger painful flare-ups and symptoms. I know you thought you just got over the hard part… summer, but cold weather is also a huge trigger for people with lupus. In today’s post, I’m going to cover ways to manage lupus symptoms during cold weather.
Cold weather can cause painful lupus symptoms due to increased constriction from blood vessels. Resulting in decreased blood flow, extreme pain, numbness, swelling, discoloration. As well as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
I have what I call a “lupus bag” in it I keep most of the items below to prevent any possible flare-ups. It’s better to be safe than sorry. My “lupus bag” has come in handy more times than not and not only just me. I’m definitely the mom of the friend group I have everything you could need and more. My friends have referred to my “lupus bag” as a Mary Poppins bag. And I guess it’s a pretty accurate description. More like Mary Poppins with lupus.
Let’s jump right into my favorite products and ways to manage lupus during cold weather.
Dress in layers
Dressing in layers allows you to stay extra warm and have the option to take a layer off if you get too toasty. I’ve noticed that dressing in layers helps me prevent Raynaud’s, reduce excess pain, and stiffness. You can catch me dressing in multiple layers around my house during the winter because even my house getting a little to chilly causes me to have a lot of pain and stiffness.
Extra clothes
I leave an extra light jacket, heavy jacket, gloves, and big socks in my car at all times. I just keep old clothes I wouldn’t miss from my closet in my trunk because I do not want to be caught getting Raynaud’s in public. Doing a little extra planning has prevented flares, come in handy for others, and made me more comfortable when I’m not feeling well in public. I definitely recommend keeping an extra blanket or jacket in your car, locker, office, backpack, etc.
Check the weather
I know this is a very obvious one but I never looked at the weather before choosing an outfit or even going outside. I had friends growing up that would say “let me check the weather” before choosing an outfit and I always had already thrown on whatever. I had not really paid mind to checking the weather before. But when living with a chronic illness you want to work with your disease instead of against it and taking the extra 15 seconds to check the weather and dress appropriately can prevent a flare. Which is 100% worth it!
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Gloves
A good pair of gloves is important to avoid getting Raynaud’s on your hands. I like these because I can use my phone while having them on. I have three pairs. I keep one in my lupus bag, one in my car, and one on my “lupus cart” in my living room. Sometimes I will get Raynaud’s on my hands if it’s a little too cold in my house so I’ve even found myself wearing these just around my house at times.
Hot hands
Hot hands have been a lifesaver too many times to count. I throw a pair in my gloves, shoes, jacket pocket, etc. I’ve found them extremely helpful in stopping Raynaud’s, reducing stiffness and pain. I carry a few packs in my lupus bag because I never want to be caught without them. You can find them at almost any store I got mine from Walmart!
Dance warm up shoes
I don’t wear slippers but I do wear these- what I like to call space boots around the house. They are actually dancing warm-up shoes but they are perfect for around the house and they keep your feet extra warm and cozy. I can’t walk on any tile or wood during the winter without getting Raynaud’s on my feet and I hate wearing slippers. I have gotten a couple of pairs of these at this point because they’re so comfortable and I feel like a dancer when I wear them.
Heated blanket
A heated blanket has been a staple during cold weather for me. Anytime I’m feeling more pain than normal I whip out my heated blanket. It helps soothe excess pain/stiffness and can help reduce a Raynaud flare. This is the one I have and use frequently but you could also use a heating pad and spot-treat areas you’re feeling more pain in.
CBD cream
Joint pain always revs up during the colder months so I find CBD being a staple to reduce pain. The best CBD I have found to date is Truly CBD. I have almost every CBD product they sell but my top two favorites at the moment are the Unicorn CBD body butter and the Blueberry kush CBD bundle. We have a 15% off code you can use at checkout. “AIPILL”. Let us know what you get in the comments!
I also find myself using CBD cream on areas where I’ve had Raynaud’s. Raynouds can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. Using CBD cream helps take away some of the residual uncomfortableness.
Surviving cold weather with lupus is all about learning to adjust and being prepared. What are your cold weather lupus essentials? Leave us a comment below we would love to know!
