Sunshine

[Turnedlight]

Does anyone else find that the sun seems to make no difference to their P? My plaques have been slowly but steadily growing this summer and I've been outside a lot.

I'm interested to know if I'm in a minority or perhaps not?

[Fred]

It's never made any difference to mine as such, but sunshine does make me feel good so in that sense it could have some effect. But I voted No as I've never noticed any real difference due to the Sunshine.

[Caroline]

Hi Turnedlight,

Just like Fred, sunlight makes me feel better and happier.
But also, when I go on holidays, which is most often to the south of France, then I can work with less medication and have less pain with my PsA.
If it is the sun or the draught I don't know, but it is a difference.

Caroline

[jiml]

It always helped mine I always looked forward to the summer as the sun always cleared my skin but I do have to expose as much as is decent ,, but at the end of the summer it came back again . . Uv treatment at the hospital was also very effective on me

[Kat]

Well I was encouraged by the derm to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I was out quite a bit over this summer and can't say I've noticed any improvement. However, in all fairness most of my psoriasis that is still a problem is behind my ear and on my scalp so it's not quite so easy to get sun there even with my hair pulled up. But I'd have to vote no as well.

[pingu]

It always helped mine but much more so as a combination of sand, salt water and relaxation. I bought a UVB bed that works also but now on MTX so need to sell bed!

[Celia]

I had to vote no also, because in my case it seems that sunshine isn't helping as much as it used to. But there may be a combination of reasons for that as well. One is, I'm not able to be out in the sunshine as long as I would like, or used to be able to be. Another thing is I think that 'being a woman of a certain age', my skin has changed and I don't tan as readily as I used to. And as jiml said, in order to get any benefit, I have to barely decent - which may not be such a good thing!
On the other hand there is the relaxation and stress reduction that being outside brings, so all in all, I'll continue to bask!

[Turnedlight]

Well I was encouraged by the derm to get out and enjoy the sunshine.  I was out quite a bit over this summer and can't say I've noticed any improvement.  However, in all fairness most of my psoriasis that is still a problem is behind my ear and on my scalp so it's not quite so easy to get sun there even with my hair pulled up.  But I'd have to vote no as well.

So is it that the sun needs to hit the actual patches of P, I thought it was just for general vit d levels..
I have been in the sun but clothed. I have to be careful as I burn quite easily..

[pingu]

I did read a lot about vitamin D and what I discovered is that nobody actually knows how much you need. That said whenever I have had the benefit of holiday, minerals in the sea and relaxation it has helped.

Just as importantly avoiding stress, good diet and good nights sleep have also benefited when on holiday or not, I always noticed an improvement. Unfortunately in our busy and stressful lives these simple things are not always easily achieved.

[jiml]

Well I was encouraged by the derm to get out and enjoy the sunshine.  I was out quite a bit over this summer and can't say I've noticed any improvement.  However, in all fairness most of my psoriasis that is still a problem is behind my ear and on my scalp so it's not quite so easy to get sun there even with my hair pulled up.  But I'd have to vote no as well.

So is it that the sun needs to hit the actual patches of P, I thought it was just for general vit d levels..
I have been in the sun but clothed. I have to be careful as I burn quite easily..

No my thinking is you need to get the uv rays on the patches or you will not get any real benefit... If you go to the hospital for uv treatment, If you are covered in scales you have to remove your clothing .... So it's more than the vitamin thing I think  but if you do start to sunbathe take care if you are fair skinned and just have short bursts as burning is not good