Skin care

[Chammmy]

Is there any precautions about skin care after transplant? What are the ingredients to avoid? Thanks 😊

[Hidden]

You should probably see a dermatologist and use sunscreen. I saw a dermatologist a couple of times and they told me to use sunscreen. I occasionally use sunscreen but should have used it more because I have brown spots on my hands now.

[LisaSnow]

Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in transplant patients, up to 70% after 20 years. Definitely use sunscreen.

[AndrewT]

Dear Chammy,

First of all.... Congratulations on your Transplant😀. I'm a few more years 'down the line', to you. I had my Transplant in July 2013.... so SEVEN years ago now!

To answer your question, there are No 'Specific' Skin Care Products, for use after Transplant. That said, your main danger is Melenoma (Skin Mancer)- which you are now VERY Prone to, as a result of the Immune Suppresant Therapy, you have been put on. Sun Cream is an absolute MUST, and high factor too.

There is a Extremely Good, non greasy- very high factor- sun cream called ''Sun Sense''. It is 'Sun Protection Factor 50+ Ultra Violet A & B Broad Spectrum Protection'. It is 'made, and tested', in Australia. I don't know where you live, I'm in the UK, and I get this Prescribed. I honesty haven't found a better Sun Cream. (it can go a bit 'greasy', if you wear it all day though.) You need, in any case, to limit your Sun Exposure, especially between 11am and 3 pm- better still before 10am and after 5pm. If you do go swimming, then replace the cream after you shower.

Beyond this, and advising the use of Gloves, for hand washing- and maybe washing up- I can't offer much more. Do use a good Skin Cream, an Avon one for example, E45, Nivea- which my Mother swears by- or one of your choice.

Other than this... enjoy yourTransplant, and NOT having to 'do' Dialysis😁😁😁.

AndrewT

[LisaSnow in reply to AndrewT]

The most common skin cancers after transplant surgery are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), in that order. (Ref: Skin cancer foundation)

This is a good thing because melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

As always when you get older you need to use more moisturizer lotion. Because of the immunosuppressant drugs we take post transplant we are more susceptible for skin cancer. Always use sunscreen. My transplant team has me see a dermatologist every year, more often if there something suspicious looking.

[Dna4christ]

Sunscreen!! ♡♡♡

I've been using sunscreen everytime I go out since my transplant 9 years. Some sunscreen lotion are better and in my opinion, SPF higher than 50 is better, too. Also, I wear sun protective clothing when I go outside as well.

[Chammmy]

Thank you all! 💓 will definitely try sunscreen from now on..

[Kbristow]

Definitely sunscreen. I attended a local kidney educational presentation with Dr. Arron a from UCSF (where I also was transplanted). Very interesting and informative. You can watch it here: youtu.be/peX_1dr0tfU(Not working as expected?).

She also shared a info brochure: skincancer.ucsf.edu/sites/g...

Take good care of your skin and see a dermatologist every year. (find a good one who also sees the importance of tracking skin cancer in transplant patients; One of my first ones was very casual about it even though I told her I was at high risk as a transplant recipient but she thought I should just keep an eye out and call if needed, but that once a year was unnecessary).

[Alfredmynewkidney]

I just had my transplant 11 weeks ago. My transplant team recommended seeing a dermatologist every 6 months. I was already seeing one every year just as a precaution. They were agreeable with every 6 months.