Sun Sensitivity

[EN24]

Hi, I have had my hypothyroid under control for a few months now (TSH 1.7) by taking 150 mcg of Synthroid.  My question is -- Does Synthroid cause sensitivity to the sun?

About a week ago I got a horrible sunburn on my back and the backs of my legs.  I was just laying on a blanket at the park, and it wasn't even that hot outside.  I had no idea I was getting burnt.  Well, the sunburn was/is really painful and it is going away very slowly.  It's been 6 days and it still hurts!!  I have olive skin that is white, but tans easily.  In the past, sunburns have always gone away in two days or so.  Could this be a result of the Synthroid?  Or just getting older (I'm in my late twenties)?  Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!

[ragnarthered]

Hi, i am a red head with pale skin and i take thyroxin for hypothyroid (100mg) i have had intense photo sensitivity and i burn in 15 minutes. it used to take just over an hour. i have to wear sunglasses all the time and when i workout i get migraines from the eye pain on occasion, its frustrating but i like having energy more than i like not wearing sunies.

starting to wonder if moon burn is a thing!!

[JKenton]

Occasionally certain auto-immune disorders, like lupus, or certain types of porphyria, can cause the skin to be photosensitive. Liver problems can also result in skin photosensitivity, as well as certain medications.

It does not need to be hot out for you to get a sunburn. Sunburns are caused by the UV light from the sun. You can also get a sunburn on overcast or partially cloudy days, when large amounts of UV light can be scattered or reflected by the cloud layer....this is similar to getting a sunburn while out in the snow.

I've read that having light sensitive eyes can be associated with thyroid problems. I find this ironic as I do actually have very light sensitive eyes, despite not wearing sunglasses for many years, such that I can't get through a photo without blinking from the flash unless I make a conscious effort to keep my eyes opened.

[Marcie10]

I had a reaction to a tanning bed about four years ago.  I only tanned about 2 times but about about 12 hours later I woke with this horrible itching problem.  I went to the emergency room and the had to give me a shot to stop the problem.  I tried everything at the pharmacy first including ice and vaseline all over my back and stomach.  It would travel from my back to my stomach and so on.  This went on for at least 48 hours.  Just the other day I laid out in the sun and about the third day on my BACK again i got a little red WELL  I did not peel but in a few day the itching started again.  ANY answers????

[nicolew08]

just like yesterday i was in the sun for 15 minutes and my face got burned :(

[nicolew08]

Yeah I have a problem with dryskin too...i havent really found a lotion that works ....i use this stuff from bath and body works 3x a day....which keeps it undercontrol...but...yeah....my mom wants to take me to a dermotologist 4 it..

but the eyes sensitivity thing..yeah...my eyes arnt light and im really sensitive...but sunglasses help alot...:) and i usually wear a hat outside to protect my face :)

[Venora Moonwind]

with or without meds it is extremly important to wear at least a spf 30 sunscreen all the time year round. especially with us on meds. sunglasses and lotionup.
Love Venora

[Thypatient]

I think so.  Actually, I take Levoxyl but I think the sensitivity is the same.

Last week was hard, my eyes swelled after having worked out in the sun.  I now bought big sunglasses and use SPF80 sunscreeen.  Today I worked outside again it was a little better.

Some aspects of all this are a real pain.

[worriedinmd]

I try everything & anything for the skin. What's helped the most was a hydrocortizone cream that I picked up at the grocery store. It's called Cortizone 10 Plus. I don't know if it was the cream working or the Synthroid leaving my system, but my hands have cleared up. I've also started using a sugar scrub in the shower/bath. It has some sort of oil in it that leaves my skin moist. The dry skin is better ... not perfect, but better. At least I haven't had to take a Benadryl just to fall asleep without scratching the skin off my legs :))


- viv

[EN24]

Thanks guys.  Nicolew08, I also have extremely sensitive eyes... I always just thought it was because they are blue... hmmm.  And, Worried - I have such itchy dry skin too!  Have you found a lotion that works?  I apply like three times a day :(

[nicolew08]

well i was born without a thyroid...and i have always been sun sensitive...and my eyes are really light sensitive...((a lot of people say that the color of them have to do with it, but my eyes are dark green and mine are more sensitive than most...))

But as with me...even when its not hot or sunny outside...if you are gunna be in the sun alot you might want to put one sunscreen...just to be on the safe side...:)

[worriedinmd]

I'm not sure about sun exposure, but I know it does affect skin. When I was on Synthroid (88mcg), I had excema all over my hands. Been off for about three weeks, and it's finally starting to clear up.