Self-Care Tips for Living With Lupus

Living with lupus, an autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every organ in the body, can be difficult. Lupus is a chronic condition, meaning it has no cure, and symptom flare-ups can come and go. Self-care practices such as eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, and getting plenty of sleep can help manage flare-ups.

You can also prevent flares by recognizing what triggers your symptoms. Common triggers include certain medications, cigarette smoke, infections, and ultraviolet (UV) light.

It's important to understand the various ways lupus can affect your life, whether it's managing flares or coping with the emotional aspects of having a chronic condition. Read on to learn about self-care tips for calming a lupus flare at home.

Living With and Managing Lupus

Bathing, housework, shopping, working, and caring for children can feel overwhelming if you have lupus, especially during a flare. Lupus causes joint and muscle pain that can prevent or decrease the ability to perform routine chores and hobbies. Joint stiffness affects about 90% of people with lupus.

Fatigue can be another debilitating side effect of lupus, affecting 50% to 90% of people with the condition. It's not the type of fatigue that's cured with a nap. Fatigue is often constant and affects the quality of life for many people.

There are things you can do to manage your life and health if you have lupus despite these and other challenges. Here are some ways to practice self-care and manage lupus symptoms.

Practice Self-Care

It may seem counterintuitive to practice self-care if you already feel that your condition is an inconvenience to others. Acts of self-care can improve lupus symptoms.

These tips may help you feel better and be more productive while living with lupus:

• Build a support system to help you manage the challenges of lupus.
• Eat healthy and stay hydrated.
• Find things to appreciate each day.
• Focus on what your body is doing well.
• Get enough sleep at night.
• Protect yourself from the sun, which can trigger symptoms.
• Reduce your stress.
• Understand and avoid triggers to minimize flares.

Lupus is a chronic condition, meaning there is no cure. Despite your condition, you can still feel good and experience well-being.

Manage Medications and Visits to a Healthcare Provider

Lupus can be a severe condition. People with lupus have about a three-fold increase in death from all causes compared to the general population despite improvements in survival.

Following a healthcare provider's treatment regimen is essential for controlling and minimizing flares. The Lupus Foundation offers a hopeful outlook based on improved diagnosis and treatment. The organization says most people with lupus can expect to live a near-average life expectancy if they take medications as prescribed and seek follow-up care if lupus symptoms arise.

You may be taking multiple medicines and making frequent visits to a healthcare provider. Here are a few tips to keep you organized:

• Bring an extra person to your visits to take notes and be an extra pair of ears.
• Fill a pill box each week to keep track of your doses.
• Keep your appointments for routine lab work and visits.
• Report any symptoms or side effects you are experiencing to a healthcare provider.

Mind Your Mental, Emotional, and Social Health

Lupus symptoms are not only physically draining but have extensive mental and emotional consequences. You may consider ways to improve psychological health as part of lupus treatment. Research has shown that 25% of people with lupus have major depression, and 37% have anxiety.

Body image is often an important issue for people with lupus. Hair loss, skin changes, and weight gain (due to steroid use and kidney disease) are common concerns. Poor body image can interfere with social life, which may lead to worsening depression and mood disorders.

It's essential for the person with lupus and their family and friends to have additional support and help after diagnosis. Living with lupus can also strain relationships with loved ones and friends. 

Family and friends might think you're just not interested when you cancel plans or won't commit to social outings due to exhaustion. Difficulty performing chores or duties at home can lead to resentment and more responsibility for a partner. Many people with lupus fear becoming a burden to others or worry they won't be accepted.

Remain Physically Active

People with lupus often exercise with less intensity and frequency. Staying active improves mood, cardiovascular health, and bone strength and reduces fatigue. Exercise can also improve range of motion, reduce stiffness, and ease joint inflammation.

Ask a healthcare provider whether some type of rehabilitation service, such as physical therapy, may be helpful. Lupus affects each person differently. A physical therapist can design a program unique to your needs.

Take Care of Your Skin

One characteristic lupus symptom is a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. Lupus may also cause mouth sores, sunburn-like rashes, and thick, scaly patches of skin. Common triggers include cigarette smoke, infections, stress, and UV light.

Here are some ways to protect your skin:

• Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds are a source of UV light, which can trigger flares.
• Bundle up: Some people with lupus also have Raynaud's syndrome. This condition affects the fingers and toes, making them sensitive to cold temperatures. If it's cold outside, make sure to wear a warm coat, gloves, hat, and socks. You may also need to avoid caffeine and nicotine, which can trigger Raynaud's syndrome.
• Consider medications: Talk to a healthcare provider before starting a new medication. You'll want to make sure that it doesn't increase light sensitivity.
• Don't touch patches or rashes: Picking at patches or rashes may irritate the skin and cause new lesions to develop.
• Practice sun safety: Wear a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily. Stay in the shade when you're outdoors, and wear a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, pants, and sunglasses if possible.
• Quit smoking: Cigarette smoke can trigger flares and interact with some medications that treat lupus. Quitting smoking can be difficult, so it's important to talk to a healthcare provider if you need help.
• Replace light bulbs: If possible, make sure that the light bulbs in your home are incandescent or LED. Fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and halogen bulbs give off UV light, which can trigger a flare.
• Take a vitamin D supplement: The sun is a natural source of vitamin D. You might not get enough of this vitamin if you're protecting yourself from the sun. Talk to a healthcare provider about whether you need a vitamin D supplement.

You may consider seeing a dermatologist (who specializes in skin, hair, and nails) if you have concerns. They can help develop a treatment plan that prevents flares and takes care of your skin. Talk to a dermatologist before trying new supplements or if you notice any skin changes.

A Quick Review

Living with lupus is demanding at times, but you can still have a long and healthy life with this condition. Ensuring your treatment plan includes ways to support your mental and emotional health is essential to living with lupus. Prioritizing self-care can increase your ability to perform your daily responsibilities more effectively. 

The physical symptoms of lupus can make daily living challenging. Taking medications as prescribed and on schedule can reduce the condition's side effects. Exercise can also improve the fatigue and joint pain that often occur with this condition.