Hi All,
I have been to Cyprus on holiday and the weathers is extremely hot, I have been using sunscreen and take Hydroxy & Asprin daily but after 10 days I appear to have come out with a terrible itchy rash over my body 😏.
I am just wondering if this has happened to anyone else or does anyone recommend a special suncream for an ET sufferer who takes Hydroxy daily?
I would be so grateful for any info on this? x
I think it's a known side effect of hydroxycarbamide. My husband was warned about it when he started taking hydroxycarbamide for PV
Thank you for your reply, I think I really need to be more careful on my next holiday by the sound of it then
We all need sunshine but have to be extra careful when on Hydroxycarbamide. I believe the UK sunshine is fine in the early morning but avoid it the rest of the day so I hope your skin recovers from your holiday exposure. Can you check with your haematology nurse/doctor? I must admit I avoid it completely apart from my early morning walk. Shame it spoiled your holiday. Hope you recover quickly.
i just go with the highest SPF rating I can find, at least a 50 but preferably a 70 or higher. along with a stylish wide brimmed hat. sometimes use a "fishing shirt" which is light weight, cool and SPF rated.
Regarding the rash, suggest dermatology consult. Treating that would depend on what type of rash it is. If it is sunburn then an aloe based gel is what I use. I do get eczema outbreaks with excess sun exposure. That is treated differently. I use Eucrisa.
Note that hydroxy can cause dermatomyositis. A rash is a symptom that should be checked out and not be taken for granted. Other types of rashes are possible too. while it is likely something minor, best not to make assumptions. Consultation with a provider familiar with hydroxy adverse effects would be a good idea.
Please do let us know how you get on and what you learn. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
the only thing I would add to this is try to stay in the shade and under a umbrella
When I worked in Africa as a holiday rep years ago and it was of course extremely hot, a few holiday makers with fair skin suffered very badly from prickly heat with uncontrollable itching. We ended up taking them to hospital if it was really bad and they were given an antihistamine injection. I just wondered whether taking oral antihistamine would help but of course check with your doctor first.
hi could it be hives? If so maybe try antihistamine
When I worked in dermatology the dermatologists used to recommend la Roche Possay or sun sense ....I think both of them have a sensitive version , and various factors. Might be worth trying one of them.
When I was on hydrodroxy carbamide I was advised not to sit in the sun for long periods, to wear a wide brimmed hat, and factor 50 on any exposed areas...especially as there is a higher risk of skin cancers x
Rachel x
Oh dear. I also learnt the hard way like you that sun and hydroxycarbamide do not mix. I’m in the UK, always loved the sun and now I avoid it. Some seem to get away with it but it’s not the case with me. I just get blisters even with factor 50 suncream. We are advised to use suncream factor 50, large sun hat, and not too long in the sun. Try Aloe Vera cream. It helps with the hitching. Good luck!
Hi - I use a fctor 50 in the sun - it could be heat rash - anti-histamines should sort it out, (ok to take as well as Hydroxy - I checked with pharmacy) or calamine lotion to soothe & cool.Good luck & enjoy your holiday...
Hi, long before I was diagnosed with ET and started Hydrea, my skin would react to sunscreen after about 10 days. It would get bubbly and itchy. So I started checking out different creams. Now that I am on H and have ET I have found a factor 50 spray called P20 made by Reimann and have no itchy and have hiked through the Alps in June and no sunburn. Hope you find a solution. V
Hi Yoganana1,
I’ve had this type of sun sensitivity for at least 15 years, and it preceded both my ET diagnosis and Hydrea treatment. I simply could not be in the sun for any length of time without getting an itchy red raised rash, particularly worse on my forearms.
Dermatology prescribed steroid cream (Triamcinolone), which alleviates the itch and helps it resolve.
I avoid the sun (lightweight long sleeve, big hat), and use spf 50 sensitive skin sunscreens but only in areas that will be in direct sunlight. I like the mineral sunscreens better than the chemical ones.
Good luck with the rest of your vacation!
I am currently in Calgary in Canada the heat in the last couple of weeks is really getting up and July is supposed to be very hot. I am on 500mg of Hydroxy daily for PV and use a factor 50 sunscreen daily all year round I also never wear shorts or short sleeved shirts. So far I have had no worries with sunburn or rashes. I do take a daily antihistamine for another issue so this may also be helpful. Hopefully your rash clears up and you find a way to prevent it in the future .
Keep well
Garry
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skin cancer and Ruxo
Skin rash 
Et and Rash
bad itch and body rash
Hydroxy and hoarseness
