Winter is Coming: Cold Weather and Lupus

It’s true, winter is coming, but what does that mean for your lupus (or the other conditions you might be battling right alongside like Raynaud’s or Rheumatoid Arthritis?)

 If there is one thing we know about lupus, it is that it effects people very differently.  While that is one of the main reason’s lupus is hard to diagnose, it also makes it challenging for lupus warriors to know what to expect. So with winter coming, what should you expect?

How does winter affect you?

Does the winter impact your lupus? Do you feel more joint pain? Do you find yourself leaning more on your lupus or rheumatoid arthritis medications? Share in our poll and see what other lupus warriors are saying.

Has science found a link between the winter and lupus symptoms?

TL;DR: No

Few scientific studies measured the effects of cold temperatures on lupus symptoms. One of the better studies examined was published in the International Journal of Chronic Diseases in 2014 by Squance, M.L., et al. It didn’t find scientific proof of a connection but believes more studies are required.

“more directed studies are required to investigate and establish lupus flare and temperature change associations.”

Really? What about a scientific link between winter and rheumatoid arthritis?

TL;DR: Sort-of

You might have heard the classic truism: “Cold and wet is bad, warm and dry is good for RA.”

While there is scientific proof humidity has an impact on the symptoms of RA, scientists haven’t found a clear link between symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and cold temperatures.