Sun Protection:

• Sun exposure clearly causes lupus to flare or worsen
• Wear a hat with a broad brim and protective clothing (e.g. long sleeves)
• Avoid the outdoors when the sun is strongest between the hours of 10 am to 3 pm
• Wear a sunscreen which resists water and sweating and which protects against both UVA and UVB
• Reapply sunscreen every hour if you are in water or sweating heavily
• Wear sunscreen even if you are in the shade, it is still possible to burn
• Avoid tanning beds
  • The ultraviolet light from tanning beds causes skin cancer and may cause lupus to flare

Topical Corticosteroids (Steroids, Cortisone):

• Cortisone creams (topical corticosteroids), lotions and gels are moderately effective
  • They are used twice daily on the affected areas until the spots disappear or turn brown
    • At that point the steroids should be stopped
• Topical corticosteroids must be used for at least a month to see if they are going to be effective
• The most common side effect would include, but not be limited to:  thinning of the skin in the area to which they are being applied
  • This may appear as stretch marks, dimpling of the skin or bruising

Intralesional Kenalog (Cortisone Injections):

• Cortisone injections work much better than the creams, gels and lotions
• Injections are primarily use when people suffer from “discoid” lesions on the skin.
• The cortisone is injected directly into the affected areas
• A lesion 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter would require about 8 injections
• The injections are repeated at monthly intervals
• The main side effect from the injections includes, but is not limited to: thinning of the skin
  • This may appear as stretch marks, dimpling of the skin or bruising
• Skin thinning will usually resolve spontaneously once treatment is stopped

Pills:

• A variety of pills are available
• Please discuss your treatment options with your doctor