Sunbed

[bigmommy]

Hello I am taking methoyrexate and humira I am going to Greece the end of June and I was wondering if I can use a sun bed before I go

Thank you all XXX

[helixhelix]

Personally I wouldn't as the risk is increased with methotrexate. And even if you're lucky not to have been affected by the increased sun sensitivity that MTX can cause, a sun bed could be too strong. I've accepted that I have to stay out of the sun completely and use factor 50 sunblock. So do make sure you take enough sun protection with you as can be very expensive if you have to buy it when you're away.

[bigmommy in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for reply hun that's what I thought could you recommend a good sun block please xxx

[helixhelix in reply to bigmommy]

I use the Australian SunSense, which is quite pricey but seems to work well, or UltraSun which is slightly less. Some of them have a bit of a tint in them, which at least makes you feel a bit tanned!

[bigmommy in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks hun xx

[cathie]

Be careful after ten years plus on mtx I found that I was sensitive to the perfume in nearly all sunscreen. Best thing to do is to stop immediately if you have any symptoms, like a rash. Moisturisers like Dermol are the best things but they do not have a sun screen.

[bigmommy in reply to cathie]

Thank you xx

[olive2709]

I have to use sunscreen all year no matter the country I use Banana boat sport factor 50 it's a mist spray that can be sprayed upside down I can even spray my own back

As for sunbeds I only have one piece of advice in 1981 when Sun beds were being talked about and I had just had very intense treatment my consultant told me if I ever went near one he would take me into hospital and do every unpleasant test he could think of he said they will cause skin cancer in the future some family and friends thought he was being a killjoy I trusted him so glad I did

[bigmommy in reply to olive2709]

Thank you xx

[Barrister]

I'm living in Saudi Arabia and use Ultrasun. It helps prevent prickly heat and is, in theory, a once a day application although I tend to top it up as I am paranoid about getting burnt as I had a malignant melanoma removed whilst in my twenties from sunburn when I was a child. But I find Ultrasun excellent and have not burnt all the time I use it. I have also used it in the Carribean where it works equally as well for me. but I am very careful to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Clemmie

[bigmommy in reply to Barrister]

Thank you so much xxx

[Someonesmother]

Sunbeds have been banned in Australia as they have a direct link to melanoma. I wouldn't especially while on MTX which has a clear warning about sun exposure and lights used in sunbeds. You don;t want to add skin cancer to the mix. Hope you have a great time

[Pipcat15]

Wow this is a new one for me so sunlight can affect methrexate.?

[helixhelix in reply to Pipcat15]

If you look at your patient information leaflet you'll see that MTX can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight ie you burn much more easily. Doesn't happen to everyone, but is fairly common.

[Cornishrex]

Thus is an interesting one as I have laser hair removal on my legs every few months and I was initially concerned whether the intense laser light would cause a problem. I checked with my rheumatologist of 30 years and he said he wasn't aware of any light sensitivity issues with MTX. The laser clinic also checked with their medical staff at headquarters who said the same thing. so not sure what the difference is between "light sensitivity" and sun light.

[helixhelix in reply to Cornishrex]

Interesting given that sun sensitivity is listed on the MTX leaflets and I know loads of people who've been caught out by it, and my rheumy also warned me. So I wonder whether your rheumy was thinking more widely? Generally "light" is taken to mean the electromagnetic rays that form the visible spectrum ie what lights up our life and I'm not aware of any problems with MTX and light. And photophobia is not listed on the leaflet.

However sunlight also contains ultraviolet rays with shorter wavelengths that we can't actually see but these are the ones that burn us. And the spectrum goes on into x-rays, and lasers and so on. The laser sure would burn you if left on your skin for too long whether you're on MTX or not, but I imagine that the safety margins are so big that it's not an issue.

[Cornishrex in reply to helixhelix]

Yes, so many nuances. However, I'm happy. I dived into the laser treatment with gusto as a result and have had no problems. Now, given that this is aimed at being able to go to the beach in the summer with my baby, without worry about depilation, may lead to a different problem, but hey ho, we'll see. can't live life worrying about everything.

[deejames]

Please please don't use a sun bed no matter what you are taking. The link to skin cancer is fairly wellproven. Surviving melanoma has left me with two large ugly scars and a lifelong fear of it returning. I went on sun beds a couple of times a week for a few months when I was pregnant. My cancer was diagnosed the week after I gave birth . The body lotions that give a light tan effect are great . Much safer.

[bigmommy in reply to deejames]

So sorry to hear this I will take your advice thank you xx

[deejames in reply to deejames]

It was many years ago but the scars will remain for ever. I used to love being tanned but now I regret it . My back particularly is covered in sun damage spots . I use a lot of the kind of moisturiser that gives a bit of colour even though I do love to get a light natural tan.( strictly not allowed but so are many things that are good for the soul.. Enjoy your holiday

[bigmommy]

Thanks to every one xxx

[Hidden]

Hi there

When I went on mtx in 1996 I went to Bulgaria for a weeks sun. I had a dreadful rash and did not tan at all. On return I saw a dermatologist who was mortified I had been somewhere hot. She says because we are immune suppressed we are vulnerable to skin cancer and she begged me not to go abroad, especially in the summer months again. I took her advice. I always wear long sleeved baggy white cotton shirts now and a hat. I wear factor 40 on my face all year round. If you must go to Greece in June wear white ( not black) plenty of high factor creams and limit your exposure. I was in Crete in October many years ago and it was hot, it's going to be mega hot in June. Do you have mtx injections?

K x

[bigmommy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope you are as well as can be x I do take methoyrexate injections also humira x I will be taking your advice thanks xxx

[nomoreheels]

I think common sense must prevail here to a degree. Obviously people who live in warm climates are treated with MTX, I was one of them living in Spain for the first 5 years of my RD, one year on HCQ & the following 4 on MTX. I burnt my legs for the first time last year sitting out in the garden here in the UK wrongly thinking the sun wasn't strong enough. Lesson learnt & high factor sun cream applied from them on! My Consultant in Spain "prescribed" 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the time of year, unprotected sunlight exposure not in the hottest part of the day to help my Vit D intake but other than that to be very careful. I was advised to use high factor sunscreen in the hottest months & to wear lightweight cotton clothing wherever possible on the exposed parts of the body. Sitting in the shade it is surprising how tanned you can become over time but obviously it's safer as it's filtered sunshine. I also wore sunglasses as I had light sensitivity due to HCQ but sensible to do so anyway to save wrinkling the tender skin around the eyes by squinting!

Personally speaking if you wish to have some colour before you go I would use a good self tanning lotion or have a professional spray tan. You enjoy your hols, keep safe & relax!

[bigmommy in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you so much for such a lovely piece of advice I hope that you are as well as you can be xxx

[nomoreheels in reply to bigmommy]

You're welcome & I'm not too shabby thanks.

[bigmommy in reply to nomoreheels]

Good morning chick I love the pic of the dog xx

[nomoreheels in reply to bigmommy]

It's Freya, our youngest & a Pointer/Lab first cross. A daft, loving & intuitive adolescent.