Cold Weather, Symptom Flares, and Lupus

How do you avoid flares in winter? There is a lot that you can do to protect yourself from lupus flares this winter. The most important that you can do to battle the cold weather is keep warm: Dressing in layers, turning up the thermostat of your home, protecting exposed skin when going outside, and drinking warm liquids can help keep your body temperature up. You should cover your hands and feed in particular with warm gloves and socks – this helps prevent them from getting too cold. A humidifier can also be a great investment to moisten the air and your throat. If you live with other people, a humidifier makes them more comfortable too, so it is a win for everyone. You can buy humidifiers in most home appliance stores at this time of year. There isn’t much you can do about the cold weather besides trying to stay inside when possible. However, if you live in a region with wild winter storms, keeping an eye on the weather report can at least help you predict your next flare. From there, you can use your usual methods for managing your lupus flares. Read more here for tips on how some lupus experts manage their flares, or on how art therapy may help you get through a cold and windy day. Do you need a little more help predicting your flares? We have some research on the subject here. In the meantime, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, and get plenty of sleep. Don’t avoid exercise either – exercising indoors will help keep you active and producing inflammation-fighting chemicals without needing to brave the cold.

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