Do all lupus patients suffer from light sensitivity?
No, about 60% of lupus patients get sun-induced rashes and a further 10-20% complain of other clearly sun-induced problems. The role of sunlight in the remainder is unclear. Only a few people are confident that sun exposure definitely does not affect them, as they can go out for long periods and sunbathe without any ill-effects then or in the following weeks. Because new immune responses can take over a week to develop, the effects of sunlight will not necessarily be on the same day. In general, all lupus patients are advised to avoid sun exposure as it is one of the easiest ways of avoiding something which we know can make lupus worse in many sufferers.
