Sunshine and Triple Tx

[BoceprevirGal]

Okay, so the warm weather is back, today. I was just wondering about other people's experiences, with letting direct sun-light hit their skin, while on Treatment. So far, I have always worn a sun hat, or a base-ball hat, long sleeves, and pants. But I am contemplating wearing shorts today, although I always keep a light cotton over-shirt over my shoulders, and chest, which burn easily. Any suggestions?

[BoceprevirGal]

Hi Gwen, I saw from your profile, that you are also on Victrelis, but ahead of me by about 6 weeks. I think these meds make everything more sensitive, my eyes hurt in the sun, and now I do have a weird speckled rash, on my stomach, which wasn't in the sun...I had a light colored tank top on.
  

[BoceprevirGal]

Mmm, that sounds nice, and may lend a more feminine look, then what i'm pulling off now~  I have found some of the best silk shirts, at The GoodWill Stores around here

[Gwensbn23]

I got a weird sunburn a few weeks ago. I always get sunburnt, faithfully, but this time it was speckled.
My eyes have been more sensitive to the sun lately too,
No glasses or eye problems ever, but I do have blue eyes and with sunnier days coming more and more it could just be that.

[orphanedhawk]

Long sleeve silk shirts are the way to go !

[BoceprevirGal]

Aha, yes, a red-head would definitely know these things : )  I have brownish auburn skin, and freckle up a bit, but my hubs and my youngest two sons are much paler than I am.
  I have always used the baby products also, because my skin is so sensitive, and my mom said, even as a baby, I got rashes easily.
   I always forget about my hands though, I am going to get some new sun-screen, I think last years is all gone, and the year before that may be expired.
My mom has had to have those little skin cancers removed from her nose, so we all need to watch it, because my mom has black hair and brown skin~

[BoceprevirGal]

I also got a rash, while driving in the car, yesterday. But I think it was the heat,not the sun, so today I ran the air-conditioner, whie driving. But the rash is still on my stomach...first rash I've had, since treeatment started, 12 weeks ago. But I kind of figured I'd get one, because I get heat rash, anyway, but not when I was younger...sigh

[Rezgirl]

I am in treatment (incivek) and have been for about 8 weeks, when I am out in the sun, I LOVE it!!!  I am always cold, in the office, restaurants, etc., so being in the sun feels very good to me.  Where we are in CA, this week has been nice and sunny so I do welcome it....I think its the treatment that is affecting me of course so the sunshine is real nice.  I don't have any problems being out in the sun so I am lucky in that regard, if you do burn easily, of course keep up whatever you normally do, apply and reapply sunblock and keep covered up!

[1oftheclub222]

I am only on the dual therapy, but I had to drive for a few hrs last weekend, completly forgot about the sun thing...My left arm had the sun hitting it for about 3 or 4 hrs...turned into a pretty good rash for 2 days, finally starting to go away now...next time it's long sleeves!

[Idyllic]

I have had good luck with any brand of the baby formulation kind. Someone told me that they would not work for an adult (because a baby has thinner, finer skin) but my Derm said otherwise. I slathered my hands the other day when I mowed the lawn (too stubborn to go get my gloves once I get the mower started) and I did not freckle or get any kind of tan or burn. Trust me I know since as an aging redhead I practically live like a vampire and I would not throw you a bum steer on an issue as important as this!

[working dog]

i had to wear a baseball cap/sunglasses/lots of cloths during tx...even in below 0 weather when riding in the car...i always could tan really good before tx...we will see soon how i do this summer....also my eyes couldn't take any sun....hang in there...billy

[BoceprevirGal]

Thanks, Idyllic, I think I have used the Neutrogena Baby one before, it was one of my favs also.
   I dont know what happened, but last year, I bought some new Trader Joe's sun-screen, and it was light and shiny ( before that, I had been doing the zinc oxide, which makes my face a whiteish-purple)...when I came home that evening, I had these two HUGE brown olive (liver?) spots on my right cheek, one has faded, but one is still there, all big and square and ugly.
  I'm just kind of falling apart, at my 49th year- I dislocated my s/c joint, had to have a tooth pulled, which shows from the front....and now, the triple tx..ahhh, my Golden Years~

[BoceprevirGal]

   You rode your bike while on Tx, wow!  I'm on Triple tx, and was pretty sick before I started, but now I feel just plain too sick to ride my bike anymore, maybe because I'm also on the Procrit, but I havent taken a blood test, to see if my HGB has risen yet, a couple more days for that.
   I am walking alot though, to keep up the circulation~

[Revalation]

Thanks for the tip on the sunblock.
Will be buying Neutrogena spf 70

[belle19]

i always use the neutrogena ultra sheer sunblock, spf 70 whenever i'm at the beach.  i used it when i surfed before tx.  it really worked for me here in san diego.  the suns rays reflect off the ocean when you're on a surfboard.  never got red from sunburn.  take care.  belle

[Idyllic]

Yeah, those kind of sunblocks can be a real nuisance. I can't believe they are still around. You might want to take a look around at your drugstore, super market or even on line to see that most sun block is not really made that way any more.  There is even a clear zinc oxide gel that readily absorbs. I am not into sunblock that much anymore though I do use it at times depending on what I am doing.

Here is a way to familiarize your self with the difference between sun screen and a sun block.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/78943.php


For a sunscreen, I like Shiseido Anessa or a few by Dr. Murad that absorb as fast and readily as lotion with no residue whatsoever. Those are a little pricey but where I live (sub-tropical environment) you have to find things you can use on your face every day that do more than just protect from the sun.

Many other brands have improved considerably over the years. The texture is nothing like those back in the day.
There is:
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 70
The Neutrogena baby sun block is a good one I keep in my car

Anyway, there are all kinds of great products out there and I am not trying to promote any of them. Only to encourage you to take a little time and see the pro and con of the two different types of sun protection (sun screen vs sunblock) It takes reading about them or having others share what they use and why.  

The sun to some degree is healthy for us and I would hate to see you not be able to enjoy it at least once in a while.♫

[flcyclist]

I agree with Idyllic about the use of sunscreen during tx.  I spent hours cycling in the hot sun while on tx and would have fried without it.  Your skin is more susceptable to sunburn and heat rash when hot and sweating.  I had some problems during the summer months in FL, but during the winter the rash calmed down.  Each person is different in their sensitivities, so be cautious.  

[BoceprevirGal]

The problem is, any kind of thick cream, especially a barrier type of sun-screen, that is thick, like zinc oxide, tends to make me hot and itchy.
    I did take a walk, with the big straw-hat, giant shades, and long pants, and sleeves. I feel pretty good, but it was a 20 minute walk : )

[Idyllic]

I live in the southwest and there is no way to avoid the sun, heat & humidity. Luckily I have hadn't had any skin problems while Tx and I am 3 weeks out of the Incivek stage. I caution those who are able to go out in the sun with no problems to wear sunscreen from head to toe. I go nowhere without it. There are some potent ones for the face and hands out there that are noncomedogenic and potent yet have the consistency of a primer.

Plus there are all kinds of decent drugstore brands that do just as effective of a job. I am not trying to hijack this thread or anything I just feel precautionary measures in addition to shade should be mentioned such as sunscreen / sunblock,  proper dress, head gear and eye protection.

But like the others have said if you have sensitive skin or even think you may be prone to the rash then I would opt out or wear a burka :)

[Revalation]

I have itching problems and my nurse told me to make sure I didn't get in the sun. She indicated she's got a male patient who now has real skin problems from exposure to the sun. I think the heat of the sun may be a problem. I was told to keep my bedroom cool.

Reva

[FrontRangeMom]

Treatment with interferons may make you sunburn more easily. I got sunburned through a closed car window.  Always use lots of sunscreen when you are outside.

[BoceprevirGal]

Thanks for the reply.  I havent gotten a rash yet, so I think I will stick to the shade~

[Advocate1955]

It's not a great idea.  It is likely to increase or cause a rash.
Advocate1955

[Sentinel13]

Hi Bo: When I was on treatment, the direct sunlight sometimes triggered itching. The itching was not due to the sunlight itself, but was due to the resulting perspiration. Cheers, GB