How to reduce the number of lupus flares

it's better to know what triggers your disease. As you said stress and sunlight result in your lupus flares, but you don't know how to deal with them. Do you apply sunscreen before going out? Have you ever tried some relaxation management? I know each individual is different, but I applied the following tips to prevent further flares. Hope these are useful for you.

- Always apply sunscreen even if I only stay at home. Plus, I usually reapply it every three or four hours

- Don't go out from 11 am to 3 pm because the UV rays work strongest during the time. You should talk with your boss to not going out during this time. If you must go, carefully apply sunscreen and wear protective clothings with long-sleeve clothing and wear sunglasses

- Always think positively. When unhappy things occur to you, try to find out the positive sides of the problem to encourage yourself. I often do that to get rid of bad thoughts that can trigger stress, causing lupus flares.

- Share your troubles with trusted people if possible. These may help you feel better

- Get a massage, take a deep breath, and take rest if you feel tired

- Exercise gently

- Boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet or taking supplements. Since diagnosed with lupus, I began to take the Lupufree supplement and vitamin D3, as well as focus on eating more healthy foods, including leafy green vegetables, berries fruits, omega-3 foods, and lean meat. Say "no" with alcohol, processed foods, and packaged foods

@emmifow‍ excellent advice!

In addition to the above advice, I would add to try to reduce those triggers and see if you are still experiencing flare-ups, and if so figure out the flare-up so you can attack it also. Knowing your triggers is key. Don't forget that not enough sleep can lead to stress also.

None of us can be successful in completely eradicating flare-ups, but we can do our best to minimize them.

I recommend getting enough sleep, not eating processed foods, UV-tint to your car, UV-blocking shades to cover windows at home/shades.

Also check your medicines to see if they can make you more photosensitive.

@emmifow I greatly appriciate your helpful tips. Of course, I always apply sunscreen before going out, but I sometimes ignore it when staying at home. This can be my big mistake that contribute to a lupus flare. Thanks for sharing with me useful tips. I'll eat more healthy diets and ask my docotr for taking supplements

@lupus38 thank you so much for telling me what I should do. I often sleep 8 hours each day and spend at least 15 minutes to take a nap. As your recommendation, I'll pay more attention to apply sunscreen and wear sun protective clothing that can avoid UV from the car and window

@jenniferan hope you get better soon. Try to think positively to reduce stress and learn how to live with this disease. I believe that you can control further lupus flares

I was diagnosed right after my long term boyfriend and I broke up.  My kids are grown and I moved closer to my job to reduce travel time.  It helps, but to deal with all of this at one time is a lot and feel very alone quite often.  I am having to learn to be alone, but on days when I take my injection and during flares, it makes it tough to be alone.  Not sure what else to do except to pray that it will get better in time.  It is hard for other people to understand the pain of this disease ... at for me it has been.  

It is hard to deal with the pain.  I'm kind of confused how do you know it's the lupus that affects you and not the arthritis? I was diagnosed with both at the same time so I really don't know which is giving me a flare. 

Thanks for advice. Now l know what can further lupus flare. But I have hip problem and knees are paining me .

@jenniferan how are you doing lately in regard to your flares?

@jenniferan‍ have you implemented any of the suggestions on how to reduce the number of flares? Did you see any success in reducing the number of flares?