Lupus is a terrible skin condition that has flare-ups that come suddenly. If only there were a way to prevent these surprise visits from the lupus monster. Oh wait, there is!
In fact, there are five ways you can combat lupus and stop it from showing up unannounced on days when you don't want to see it. On top of that, you can purchase these five remedies at most stores.
Enough teasing. Let's get into the top five items you need to have in your lupus flare-up prevention kit.
1. Sunscreen
Sunscreen isn't just a must-have for the beach to ensure you don't get too sunburned. During scorching days, it is imperative that you put on at least one coat, if not more, of a high-numbered SPF so you can prevent any lupus outbreaks.
Most doctors recommend an SPF rating of 30 or higher to prevent cutaneous flare-ups. That's not very hard to find because you can go to most convenience stores and find that on the shelf.
You won't need to put it on every day, but for those sweltering days (90° or higher), you'll need to coat up, and we're not talking about leather.
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2. Tumeric
Turmeric is another must-have for your lupus prevention kit, and you can find this at any grocery store on the shelves. The active ingredient, curcumin, has been proven effective in treating autoimmune diseases.
Adding turmeric to your everyday diet is super easy because you can put it in milk, honey, or several dishes. This remedy is not for everyone because people with gallbladder problems might have side effects.
Talking to your doctor before you add excess amounts of turmeric tea diet is a good idea. However, this remedy is a staple in most people's spice cabinets.
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3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar doesn't just go well in marinating recipes. It can also help your skin get back to what it once was. A deficiency in hydrochloric acid is common for people with lupus, so apple cider is an excellent supplement for the chemical.
On top of that, it can help your body detoxify while also enhancing how well you absorb nutrients. Other than marinades, you can add apple cider vinegar to your diet by:
- Putting it in a warm glass of water
- Adding it to lemon juice
- Taking the supplemental gummies
Make sure you start slow and work your way up to having large amounts of cider in your diet daily. Soon enough, you'll be able to drink it three times a day with no problem.
4. Epsom Salt
Who doesn't love a nice relaxing Epsom salt bath after a long day of hard work and pain? The salt-like compound has been a mainstay for many athletes, the elderly, and disease-stricken people who have to deal with inflammation.
Epsom salt has been shown to reduce inflammation and visibly improve skin wellness for people with diseases like lupus. Plus, some say it can improve how well your body absorbs magnesium and can be crucial for removing toxins from your system.
Implementing it to your daily life is easy as you only need to add about a cup of it to your bath water before soaking. After about 10 to 20 minutes, you'll feel a million times better.
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5. A Good Sized Hat
Wearing a nice hat in public may be a great fashion statement, but it also helps prevent any unsettling lupus rashes from invading your face. A good-sized brim hat will lock out a good portion of the Sun and protect your face from harmful UV rays.
The best hats to go for are ones that have high UPF ratings. The UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating is a measure that designers will give a hat to inform others of its ability to block out the Sun.
The highest rating there is UPF 50, and it means you'll only expose yourself to 1/50 of the ultraviolet rays coming from the Sun. In short, that hat will keep you well protected and your skin clear of any irritating lupus rashes