Wow this is just what i need to be reading I got the horrid rash deal on my legs after being in the sun, it seems to just happen when im in FL. I am not on meds now so I think it is similar to kathaleens story, about the RA attacking and the combo of sensitive skin but man it suxs cause I like to be in the sun but back in NY in the summer it does not happen weird and mysterious.

I am very sun-sensitive. I break out in a red polka-dotted and burning rash on my arms and face. My dermo said I must limit my time outdoors and always wear sunscreen everyday. My symptoms flare if I get the rash. (joint pain, fatigue, etc.). I have RA/Lupus overlap and Sjogren's. A person is much more prone to sun-sensitivity if they are positive for the anti-Ro (SSA) antibody which can be positive with Lupus and/or SjS.

I have found that I am more sensitive to the sun. I take methotrexate, plaquenil and folic acid. I have very active boys who love to be at the pool and playing baseball and I enjoy the suns warmth on my joints. I use a high SPF, big fashionable hats and umbrellas depending on the situation. The hats and umbrellas are common place in the area I live in especially at baseball. Spectators can get very hot next to the field. I hope you find a way to enjoy the summer.

Yep, so sensitive that 5 mins in the sun gives me sun poisoning. Bright red itching burning skin..not a pretty sight... I stay in most of the time and only go out when I have to and that is making short trips to and from my car.

Yes, me too. Add me to the list of people who are very very sun sensitive. Yes I am on plaquenil and also pred; BUT I have had this problem since before that.

I also have re occurring skin cancer , which happens to run in my family plus, I stupidly spent time in my youth, in tanning beds, and laying out to tan , using the baby oil & something else (forget the word) to make me tan/burn quicker ! I always wished I had naturally brown skin and I do find it ironic that "some" Caucasians who are racist, try to become another color but that is another story. (not trying to offend anyone just wanted to share my mini epiphany)
I live in southern Calif, which makes it hard for a sun sensitive person.
I can't remember to put on the sunscreen every day......plus, I hate how it smells plus, honestly I don't feel any better when I use it.

I did however, just bought a big floppy hat the other day and THAT is helping a bit. At least my face.
I basically have to do outdoor things very early in the day or very late. Never mid day.

I get major sun sickness and am very sensitive to the heat, even out of the sun. Both cause flares, fatigue, mental fog.
I always wear a hat and at least 70 spf and limit time outdoors :( Gardening is strictly a very early morning activity. No running errands in the noon day sun, etc.
For all humans, our skin reaction to the sun is an inflammatory reaction; I just think for many of us with disorders of inflammation, like RA and lupus, we can't handle any more inflammation!

Last year, I got a nasty sun rash on my legs. So I religiously slather on the sunscreen, wear a long-sleeved shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat when out in the sun. But this past week, I've taken the kids swimming twice and I'm fine...a little tanner but not burnt.

I have been sun sensitive since I was badly burned when I was 5 years old. The doc told my mom (we are talking 1959) that if I didn't cover up I would get skin cancer. So I always had to wear sun screen and cover up. Ironically, my parents were sun worshippers ended up both getting the mild form of skin cancer repeatedly.

In the spring, I get hydrous eczema if I forget to cover up. LIttle itchy bumps. The sun also triggered severe shingles after a burn one summer. I was actually covered in sun screen, but it was far south and reflection from the water in the lake, and my body could not handle it.

As for lupus, there is a lot of overlap in symptoms.They get arthritis in their joints. We have our heart and lungs attacked. Right now, my kidneys are under attack for no reason. So I think the line is less distinct that formerly thought.

Oddly enough, the sun makes me feel better and I'm on mtx and plaq. I spend 2 to 6 hours in the Texas sun each day. Sweating actually seems very cleansing to me now as compared to pre-RA. ODD

Yes, absolutely! If you can, stay out of the sun. Vitamin D supplements are helpful. The UV is really bad, it triggers flares and is bad for joint issues. UV is usually the highest, at least where I live, between 8:30 am -4:30pm. If you wait after that it shouldn't be as bad. I personally avoid the outdoors as much as possible, because it always makes me feel awful, but it may be different for you. Its always best to check with your doc.

I burn easily. The mtx combined with sun caused an allergic reaction. I had a very itchy rash that lasted way too long.