Diagnosed with ET CALR+ 2 yrs ago and 4 weeks ago I was put on a daily dose of Hydroxyurea 500mgday .
My hubby and I are heading to the beach for my 67 birthday and I’m a little confused about sun exposure. Should sun be completely avoided unless covered up, or does slathering myself in 50+sunscreen make it ok to be out in the wide open? I wear a sunhat and usually sit under an umbrella.
Guidelines any one?
BTW...I’m tolerating the hydroxy REALLY well so far!💃 happy dance.
Hi mimduf,
Glad to hear that you’re tolerating the hydrea well. As for safety in the sun, we have to be cautious. I think you’ve got it covered, factor 50 (top up regularly), sun hat etc. Also, avoid the mid day sun. That’s what I do at least. Enjoy your hols!
Mary x
I just got back from Mexico, and for the first time in my life I didn't come back with a tan! Because I was using 50 or 60 sunscreen, wearing a hat, sitting out of the direct sun, etc. I did go on hikes, and play in the water, and did get direct sun on me, but I really tried to always make sure I had good sunscreen on, and did - as Mary says - top up regularly. I still had fun; I think we just have to be more aware. Oh, and drink a TON of water.
Great advice... I think I’m on the right track! I just don’t want to have to cover up head to toe every time I step outside!
I LOVE the sun! Like the others, I use factor 50 on face and body and often a sun hat, but not always. Early morning and late afternoon I don’t always use sunscreen, ( it’s so messy). I don’t lay out in it any longer like I used to and often opt to sit in the shade after about 20 minutes. We have to be careful but I’m not willing to give up on this pleasure just yet.
I had a BCC cut off the back of my hand last year and the dermatologist said the damage was probably done in my teens. I do keep an eye on my skin and make sure I don’t burn.
Enjoy it, just be cautious.
Judy x
I went to Italy last summer and just been skiing, small tubes of Garnier kids factor 50 always in my pockets or bags to keep sun protection topped up are my solution. I didn’t wear a hat and was fine. I find I can actually feel the sun strength a lot more than pre-hydroxy and get funny looks when I get my factor 50 while watching my son at football in the Spring. I use a daydream with factor 30 all year so I can step out in the morning without having to think about it. Have a great holiday
Thanks!
So I headed off down the coast path yesterday in the Easter sunshine and apparently my get up attracted the neighbours attention. I was covered head to toe with flowing robes complete with a very fetching legionnaire’s hat. I was asked on my return ‘if everything was OK?’ 😁 🤣 I always wear moisturiser with sunscreen and then add Roche Posay face factor 50 when the sun comes out. Still the freckles appeared so I think the Hydroxy definitely does make our skin more sensitive. I have also acquired various items of SPF beachwear in the vague hope I might head to a beach one day (the kind of beach with a beach bar rather than wind breaks 😂). On the upside, I think my skin is much better for not burning up in the sun. Lesson learnt a bit late I fear!
It’s a bit of a conundrum really isn’t it! We need to avoid getting too much sun but if we don’t get enough we become vitamin D deficienct. I have been really careful in the sun for a long time as I’m very fair skinned but I’m still having to go for two skin biopsies on my face next week. I did finish up profoundly vitamin D deficient but I now take a supplement.
You may found it useful to get a sun hat, my wife suffers when it is sunny and was advised to get a sun hat.
This is available from TK Maxx, a well known store on the high street.
Oh dear I don’t use factor 50. I use 30 on my face and upper body and 15 on my legs. I always wear a hat and like dappled shade over an umbrella.
I was very surprised when my heamo said factor 15.
Hmmm... interesting
Been on HU for 9 weeks 500 mg a day. Like yourself have ET and Calr. My platelets continue to drop but now 1000 for 1689. I would wear a hat Sun screen and just use common sense with sun screen. That's what I intend to do. Must admit was more of a sun lounger when I was younger. Just enjoy it. Good luck.
All those Replies look great and really helpful. I sometimes find it a little disheartening to have to always think about being careful in the sun. I walk early mornings and if it's early enough and the sun hasn't properly risen I don't wear sunscreen. I was paranoid to start with but my doctor said a very little bit of "incidental" sun is OK, just don't stay in it. I wear factor 50 and try to wear blouses to cover my arms, and I don't really like the feel of hats. Sometimes I take an umbrella which I fear may look a bit weird. And yes, I feel the heat of the sun much more now. 
Why can we not be in sun with hydroxy???
Sun protection
ET and Sun Exposure
peg interferon and sun
Sun exposure 
