Q&A Forum: Environment, Weather, & Lupus Symptoms
The environment can have an immense impact on your lupus symptoms. Factors, such as smog, pollen, air pollution, and change in the weather, can cause flares or increased symptoms. We ask Lupus Warriors how environmental factors have impacted their lupus symptoms.
Check out this month's Q&A Forum!
Changes in weather, pollutants, and allergies are just a handful of factors that may be impacting your lupus symptoms. Many Lupus Warriors must learn to adjust their daily lives to counteract environmental triggers. These triggers can impact the lungs, among other things, and can cause inflammation and cell damage. It is important for people with lupus to stay vigilant when it comes to monitoring their reaction to the environment. Tracking drastic weather changes, UV indexes, and pollutant levels are just a few ways to stay ahead of the triggers.In this month’s LupusCorner Q&A Forum, Lupus Warriors share what environmental factors impact their lupus symptoms, and what steps they take to combat them.Plus, click here to learn more about lupus and common allergens.
Janell
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Pollen
Barometric pressure
Decrease in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Headache
Brain fog
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Normally the humidity helps me, not sure why, but all the other is miserable it is resting time, dark cool room, fan blowing, furnace/AC has filter to get most of air nasty out of house normally stay inside.
Living with Lupus in the Real World
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Humidity
Pollen
Barometric pressure
Increase in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Rashes and lesions
Headache
Brain fog
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Stay inside more. Use SPF and sun-protective clothing more. Use nasal strips at night. Relax and take Advil.
Jenn F.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Humidity
Pollen
Barometric pressure
Increase in temperature
Decrease in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Rashes and lesions
Headache
Brain fog
Mouth sores
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Staying indoors, using an air purifier and dehumidifier.
Lacey C.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
Humidity
Barometric pressure
Increase in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Headache
Brain fog
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Putting a fan on when I am home. Sitting right next to the fan or sleeping next to it. Staying inside, going outside in the morning or evening when it is cooler.
Jasrene
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Decrease in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Mouth sores
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
For rainy weather, I will get joint pains on hands and legs, so I will wear long sleeves and long pants to sleep, with socks on.. this helps a little to reduce the joint pains..
Sandra1961
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Pollen
Barometric pressure
Humidity
Increase in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
I limit my sun exposure. I rest when I know that I need to. Unfortunately I can not control barometric pressure so I use pain ointments and pain pills when the discomfort becomes moderate.
Shan T.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Decrease in temperature
Barometric pressure
Humidity
Increase in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Rashes and lesions
Headache
Brain fog
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
I am forced to stay in bed/sleep a lot more, up my anti-inflammatory & pain meds, resort back to oral steroid or creams, etc.
Lupus Maintenance
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
3/5 (neutral)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Humidity
Barometric pressure
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Headache
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Don’t go outside.
Irene C-S
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Increase in temperature
Pollen
Pollution/Air quality
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Brain fog
Headache
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Lots of sunscreen! I use 100+ w/helioplex broad spectrum uva-uvb for my face and neck; and, 50+ for my entire body that’s exposed. Sunglasses are a plus as well a brim hat. I allow myself 30-45 minutes of being active out in the sun. It helps me sleep better.
Lisa B.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
4/5 (agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Humidity
Barometric pressure
Increase in temperature
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Rashes and lesions
Headache
Brain fog
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
Extra medication, more rest time, antihistamines.
Kendra L.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Increase in temperature
Humidity
Pollution/Air quality
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Rashes and lesions
Headache
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
More rest and staying inside out of sun and heat.
Kendra L.
Environmental factors, such as pollution, allergies, or the weather, have affected my lupus symptoms.
5/5 (strongly agree)
What environmental factors have impacted your lupus symptoms the most?
Increase in temperature
Humidity
Pollution/Air quality
What symptoms were triggered by the environment?
Rashes and lesions
Headache
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
What steps have you taken to combat these environmental factors?
More rest and staying inside out of sun and heat.
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