hi everyone,
i am shortly to start hydroxycarbamide and was wondering what level of sunblock i need to use.and if there are any particularly good face creams/ body creams with the right factor in that anyone could recommend.Any advice welcome .thankyou carolyn
Hi Carolyn, I use factor 50. Perhaps not as well as I thought as I now have to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from the back of my hand! I’ve tried various makes.
I think they are all similar so just get ones that suits you and you like the smell of.
Best wishes
Judy
Ps. I use La Roche- Posay on my face, available from Boots.
Hi Carolyn77
I am on same drug I asked my consultant the same question and was told no lower than factor 50 baseball cap and sunglasses if really hot a light top to cover your arms it is because the drug makes you photosensitive first out in sun I swelled up like a dog from my elbows down to my finger tips were all swollen it looked like I had paws instead of arms and hands
best of luck you may get other advice
stevengeorge
Hi,I have always used factor 50,and been very careful in the sun.I still ended up with a carcinoma on my face needing major surgery .I was told by the dermalog ,it is not just sunlight we are sensitive to with H U ,but being outside full stop.So best to take care and always cover if outdoors even in winter.My G P prescribes vit D to make up for lack of natural sunlight.Best wishes.
My Haematology nurse got a recommendation from a Cancer Nurse for Factor 50 La Riche-Posay - Anthelios XL for the face. There are two types - clear and tinted. I've tried both. The clear one left me a little white faced - not a lot but I looked a bit poorly. The tinted one was a bit dark for my non-suntand face so I mix them together in my palm before applying.
There is a version for the rest of the body too.
If you are in the UK you can get them from Boots, or, if they're not stocked by your nearest Boots, you can order them online to be picked up there a couple of days later.
I always wear at least 3/4 sleeved tops during the summer and long trousers - mainly because it saves me having to plaster the cream all over me before going outside - except, of course, the bits that show.
Thankyou so much ChrisAnnSen and everyone. I have just checked out la roche posay and it looks like a great product ,as no preservatives parabens colourants fragrance or lanolin in it, I hadnt heard of it before but its definately going to be the one i try first ( and probably stick with) .Mixing the creams is a clever idea too, as looking at myself in the mirror so white and pale makes me feel as im ill when im not. Thankyou so much, this is so helpful. I guess ill be investing in some long cotton trousers and long sleeved tops for the summer now ( if we get one that is !!)
Take care and keep well, Carolyn.
Hi, I always use factor 50. A hat when needed and some cover over arms or so if I happen to end up in the sun.I just have to clean it off at night or it will show...
A further thought: this is probably connected, given Hydroxy's effect on skin: I've recently found my forehead developing tiny red scabby lesions - not appealing. They do go away of their own accord, but I think this is related to tightness of skin and sensitivity. But regular use of pure Aloe Vera gel - get it any any health food store - seems to soothe things remarkably quickly, so speeding up the healing process. This might be also helpful in case of a bit of over-sensitivity to sun.
Hi I use a soothing oil from decline.
Every day.
Find it helps. I use factor 50.
Keep covered most days in the sun.
Good news from the consultant today.
Platelets down to normal now on maintenance dose two per day and three monthly appointment.
Feeling over the moon.
Thats fantastic news roger 41. its great to hear that someones getting sorted.. have a wonderful day !
kind regards carolyn. i will check out the oil from decline. Thankyou.
I use a high sunblock but I try and keep out if the sun. If I’m in the garden I’m always under a garden umbrella. You need to have a little bit of sun to keep your vitamin D up. X
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