Environmental Factors and Ultraviolet Light
Most researchers in the field believe that an environmental agent [6] acts to cause the disease, such as a virus or even a chemical, accidentally contacted by an individual that is a genetically susceptible. To date, researchers have not identified a particular environmental agent, but the hypothesis remains probable.
Although the environmental components that can activate lupus and cause flares are not completely understood, exposure in agricultural or industrial settings to silica dust; infections (such as the impact of the Epstein-Barr virus); and ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB) are the most frequently cited.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation [7] is one of the risk factors in people with lupus. If we expose ourselves to this type of radiation, our symptoms can worsen, lupus can be activated, and we can have an outbreak.
Ultraviolet light exacerbates the course of the disease and promotes skin and systemic outbreaks, hence the importance of photo protection in patients with SLE, as there is ample evidence regarding improvement of skin symptoms.