Sunblock help please

[chris47]

I will be going on holiday in the u.k. and if the weather is hot I have been told to use a sun block under my compression sleeve can anyone tell me what factor i should use?

[sandrasayce]

I have never been told to wear sunblock under my compression hosiery (right leg 13 years). But I have lymphoedema because of surgery for malignant melanoma (skin cancer) and it is very important that everyone uses a minimum factor 25 in the UK regardless of skin type - suncreams don't stop you tanning they stop you burning - burning equals a skin cancer timebomb. World renowed dermatogists recommend factor 25 all year round in the uk moving to factor 50 in summer and they see the damage the sun does to people every day of their working lives!

Having said this I can't imagine anything worse than having to put cream on under compression hosiery, I assume it was a member of the medical profession who recommend using sunblock, I would suggest you get back to them and ask them why and if they still insist and give logical, substantiated justification then they recommend what to use. Never feel embarrassed about asking questions about the management of your condition. My experience over the last 13 years is that you become the expert since you are living with it 24/7, health professional can help spread best practise but they don't have to live with it. I would recommend basic common sense every time any part exposed use sunblock and wear loose cotton clothing .Good luck and enjoy your holiday.

[LymphSuppNetwork Partner LSN]

Hi Chris 47 It is really important to protect your limb from sunburn and unfortunately it is possible to burn through compression especially synthetic compression garments - your practitioner should be able to offer you some advise about how much protection your garment offers - some people prefer to cover the limb with more light cotton layers. In general terms SPF 50-60 is recommended if possible!

[chris47 in reply to LymphSuppNetwork]

Many thanks for all replies but is there any ingredient in the factor 50 sunblocks that i need to avoid for example i have been told to avoid perfumed deodorant.

[shazsnicks in reply to LymphSuppNetwork]

Sorry I am late replying but I was told by my Nurse what you have said. You definitely need a total block, our skin is delicate anyway.

I moisturise before applying my hosiery as a daily thing, you have to. The skin needs it and more so if you have lymph.

Also its in a LSN leaflet the recommendations.

[morganite]

i use ultrsun sun proetcion it comes in various factors, I would use 15 here but i went abroad then i would use a higher factor to prevent damage from the ultra violet rays,

[starfish1952]

Surely wearing sun block under the sleeve will affect the material wont it. After all I thought this was the reason why we are told to moisture at night.

[nicolams]

Hi everyone - this seems to me to be a classic example of when the advice is made in good faith, but everyone's own particular preferences and situations means we all interpret it differently to suit our bodies, life styles etc.

Just to let you know my very very fair skinned partner uses P20 to good effect, but lord alone knows what it would do to a compression sleeve!