Can we enjoy the beautiful outside while on SOC?

Question

I was told by my Dr. to avoid the sun and heat (live in Fla.) because of the incivek BUT.......now that I am only doing SOC has anyone had any problems with outdoor enjoyment while on treatment? Its going to be 80 here over the weekend and if I feel up to it would love to enjoy the Fall weather. But.....dont want to antagonize the drugs.

joemc34606 · Answer

I know the last time I treated the sun tore me up, if I got any kind of burn I would feel terrible for days. Wasn't pleasant. Joe

dreamcat · Answer

I'm from South Florida, and not a fan of the heat on a good day!  But on treatment and with my fair skin, I'm not taking any chances.  I limit my exposure to the elements as much as possible,and keep my house very cool.  

Hopefully, the weather will soon change and it will be cooler outside, so then I can at least take some outside walks.  For now, tho, I'm happy to stay in the a/c -- look forward to the bulk of my tx during fall/winter/spring when the weather is typically beautiful here.

mykids247 · Answer

Taking into consideration the horrible summer we had, hotter than ***** I am sooooo looking forward to cooler weather. If for nothing else than opening the car windows. Treatment should be easier in the winter. Well Florida winter. Thanks for all your advise. I thank you all. As far as vit d I do take it daily. Thanks. :)

OdinLovesLife · Answer

Do your local weather reports give a UV forecast? Keep an eye on that because you may need protection on cloudy days too. Definitely the middle of the day is worse. 

How about going outdoors with protection? That way you can still enjoy it. Have you looked at SPF50 clothing? There are cool summer long sleeve shirts made for hiking and cycling that might be useful. Maybe some vitamin D supplementation might be helpful too.

toby47 · Answer

I also live in fla.and I had psoriasis when I started treatment which has gone away, however anytime I spend more than a few minutes in sun I get the brightest racoon face of rosececa and it doesn't go away very easily and feels like a bad sunburn.I also had to start wearing long sleeve shirts as I got a rash.This tx is such an adventure.

frijole · Answer

So far, 5 weeks into treatment the sun has not bothered me too much.  I have spent quite a few weekends out of doors, some in the West Texas sun.  But I know the time is drawing close to where I will not be able to handle the sun. I always thought it was more the ribavivin than the interferon that generated the heat-related rash.

frijole

flcyclist · Answer

Also from Florida and looking forward to the forecast for cooler temps coming soon.  I'm on SOC and the combination of heat/sun/sweating has triggered some major rash issues for me early in trt.  Some good advice given above worth repeating.  The cooler temps in the morning or later evening are best when the sun is less intense.  Do lather up with sunscreen to avoid too much sun exposure and burn.  Avoid sweating if possible.  

I enjoy cycling too much and I'm too stubborn to completely avoid the exposure, but try to minimize it the best I can.  I'm looking forward to the cooler temps as winter approaches.   Good luck with your trt.

mykids247 · Answer

Thanks guys, I was really thinking about my umbrella and or the shade,  and def. an spf of 50 living here you never go to the beach or pool with anything less.

MagTX · Answer

Try to avoid being out in the "florida" sun while you're on tx, not a good mix when your doing interferon, even if the temp is down into the 80's!  You don't even want to risk getting even a slight sunburn.  Anything that irritates or inflames the skin such as tanning or a burn can activate different types of skin issues while your on tx.  Your doc knows what he's saying, whether he meant incivek or interferon or both, trust me and please listen to him. 
If there is a way you can enjoy the weather early in the AM before the sun gets intense or maybe just before the sun's setting, I think that's the way I would try to plan.  I would definitely cover up with sunscreen and lite clothing, even a hat if you do decide to be out there for any length of time.

lynda607 · Answer

Some exposure to the sun is good as it's one of best sources of vitamin D the body gets.  IMO, 15 to 20 minutes wouldn't be harmful in fall weather, any longer than that and you should use a good sunscreen like SPF 50 or above.

nygirl7 · Answer

Stay out of the sun not just because of the incivek but because of the intereferon too. You will feel it and it will burn you faster and more than it ever did before. I made the mistake and learned the hard way.