How do you counsel patients with dermatomyositis on sun protection?

What are your preferred modalities for sun protection that are effective and easy enough that patients consistently comply with them?

3 Answers

Mednet MemberInvited Expert

Rheumatology · Harvard Medical School

Answered on · Updated on

We make sure patients know that sun exposure can trigger flares, so we strongly recommend staying out of direct sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM, using broad spectrum, SPF30+ sunscreen daily even when indoors (as UVA can penetrate through windows), and wearing sun protective clothing (ideally UPF-rat...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet MemberInvited Expert

Rheumatology · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)

Answered on

In addition to the excellent list by Dr. @Dr. First Last, I add:

Change all indoor lighting to LED bulbs. As discussed by Klein et al., PMID 18992852 we are bombarded by small amounts of significant UV light all day long indoors (small amount at a time but over long lengths of time), and LED gives of...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet Member

Rheumatology · University of Chicago

Answered on

The Myositis Foundation has great information for patients on sun protection.

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer