Lupus and sun — how do you handle summer?

Victorian ghost solidarity lol. My go-to is the Coolibar brand for UPF clothing — they're pricey but they actually look like normal clothes instead of those weird fishing shirts. For sunscreen I've had the best luck with mineral formulas (zinc oxide based) since they're less irritating than chemical ones. EltaMD UV Clear has been my holy grail — dermatologist recommended and it doesn't break me out or sting. For your kid's events: portable shade tent/umbrella. I bring a camping chair and a giant umbrella and set up my own shade zone. My son calls it "mom's office" lol

I've accepted that I'm the weird one with the umbrella and the long sleeves in July. It's just who I am now. The peace came when I stopped trying to explain it to everyone and just... did it. One tip: if you drive a lot, get UV film on your car windows. I didn't realize how much sun exposure I was getting just commuting until I got the film and my arm flares stopped.

My wife has lupus and I wanted to add: for outdoor events, those neck fans that you wear around your neck have been really helpful for her. The heat makes everything worse and staying cool seems to help almost as much as staying shaded. Also we got a UV meter keychain thing off amazon and she checks it throughout the day. Sometimes the UV is lower than you'd expect and she can spend more time outside than she thought.

ugh summer. I basically become a vampire from june to september. the thing that helped me most honestly was grieving the loss of being a "summer person" and then finding new things I enjoy about it. I became a sunrise and sunset person instead. I do my outdoor time early morning or late evening and it actually feels kind of magical? idk if that helps. its definitely an adjustment.