Flares

The times when your symptoms worsen and you feel ill are called flares. Flares tend to come and go. You may have swelling and rashes one week and no symptoms at all the next. Even if you take medicine for lupus, you may find that some things trigger your symptoms to flare. You may find that your symptoms flare after you've been out in the sun or after a hard day at work. Common triggers include:

• overwork and not enough rest
• stress
• being out in the sun or close exposure to fluorescent or halogen light
• infection
• injury
• stopping your lupus medicines
• certain medications

Control lupus symptoms and prevent flares 

The best way to keep your lupus under control is by following your treatment plan and taking care of yourself. Take these steps:

• Learn how to tell that a flare is coming.
• See your doctors regularly.
• Maintain life balance by setting realistic goals and priorities.
• Limit the time you spend in the sun and in fluorescent and halogen light.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Develop coping skills to help limit stress.
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Exercise moderately with your doctor's okay and when you're feeling up to it.
• Develop a support system made up of people you trust and can go to for help.

Despite your best efforts to follow your treatment plan and take good care of yourself, there will be times when your lupus symptoms are worse. Being able to spot the warning signs of a flare can help you prevent the flare or make it less severe. Before a flare your symptoms might get worse, or you might get new symptoms, such as:

• feeling more tired
• pain
• rash
• fever
• stomach ache
• severe headache

Contact your doctor right away if you suspect a flare is coming.