Advice

[Damamy]

Can any of you lovely peeps who are on the methotrexate injection answer my next random question? I don’t really want to keep phoning the rheumy advice line, anyway should I avoid the sun/cover up etc whilst on methotrexate?

[AgedCrone]

If you were comfortable in the sun before MTX you will probably be fine.

I had always tanned easily but I stocked up on factor 50 ...but I realised I was one of the lucky ones & I could carry on as normal.

But obviously take it easy at first....no lying on a Spanish Beach all day!

[Hidden]

Yes it does make you a little more sun sensitive. Not that I took any notice of that advice of course!

[Damamy in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I normally tend to burn easily so always use factor 50 suncream. I was cutting the grass in the garden yesterday covered up to the max and reapplied several times. However, despite this I felt like

my skin was stinging with the heat and I felt like I was burning less than 10 min after I had applied it which has never happened before!

[AgedCrone in reply to Damamy]

Well if you burned easily in the past & your skin was stinging after 10 minutes it unfortunately seems that you will have to be extra extra careful now that you are onMTX.

I'm sure you Rheumy nurse will have advice about which sun lotions will suit you.

If I don't get a real tan I resort to the fake tan lotions - even my Dermatologist agreed the tan I got using Palmers Coco Butter Bronzer.( or something like that) was very natural...not orange & it doesn't smell horrid.

But as with anything you put on your skin try a small area for a few days before you cover yourself & find you are allergic to it.

Happy tanning!

[helixhelix]

Take it one step at a time. You might be completely fine, and no change at all, but you might not... So start by being extra careful, factor 50 suncream, not sitting in the sun without hat, sunglasses and loose clothes. Then if all's well give yourself a bit more time in the sun each day/week. I still use factor 50, hats & glasses, but can be out in the sun now in shorts without a problem. A couple of years ago I had to creep round in the shade completely covered up, or come out in bumps and blisters.

[Damamy]

I tend to burn easily especially my face and neck/back so always use factor 50. That said 10 min of being outside left me feeling that my skin was stinging and I was burning. However, it wasn’t that sunny and def not as warm.

[helixhelix in reply to Damamy]

Ok, so you need hats! You can also get UV protective clothing if you find you are super sensitive, but you might find things calm down once you've been on MTX for a while.

[Jillybean1983]

Hi, I’m on metoject ( have been for 4 years) I always use SPF 30 and above before make up and wherever I go, even in winter otherwise I get hives, in summer I tend to cover up the best I can but always to stay cool, is this something you recently started?

[Damamy in reply to Jillybean1983]

Took my second injection yesterday much to the dogs disgust (they follow me around the house) as they were shut downstairs with Mr Grumpy for the grand total of 2 min. Lol

[Hidden]

My OH generally doesn't bother with much suntan lotion, just a dab when abroad and tans deeply. On Mtx he burns with factor 50 in a few mins in the back garden. On holiday in 30 degrees couldn't hack it at all. Take care.

[janmary]

It hasn’t made much difference to me, although I’m less tolerant of heat - I never was a sun worshipper , but now it makes me feel really ill - but I think that’s age not MTX!

A dermatologist told me once that I was made for the mists and the mountains, not the sun and the sand.

But, I don’t burn any easier than I used to !

[Hidden]

With sun cream I am fine , but even a short time without and I burn. So I use cream rather than cover up.

[popsmith1874]

As others have said I always use factor 50 and wear a hat but when suns at it's hottest sit in shade xxx

[Hidden]

Last MTX update at my hospital the rheumatology matron did say be careful in sun as it does make you more sensitive to it: high sunscreen etc x

[Gnarli]

I didn't used to burn easily but have been on MTX for just over 18 months and have become very cautious. Factor 20 once a day application sun cream but between 11 and 3 or if its intense sunshine I retreat under a hat, sunglasses and loose cotton or linen clothes in the shade. I was told to take extra care in the sun by the lovely rheumy nurse.

[Hidden in reply to Gnarli]

Same as me Jan, I’m pretty dark, never burn, my mum’s genes and yet this glorious Summer, really had to watch it, turned just walking about in it (matron looked pointedly at me when he said it 😊 must have thought i’d been cooking myself on the sun lounger). I sit in shade mostly with factor 20+ like you. Better than Ross on Friends this year (showing my age there: the one with the spray tan!) x

[AgedCrone in reply to Gnarli]

I think Mtx triggers sun sensivisity in some & not in others & the only way you'll know is "try it & see" .......very carefully!

As you say Gnarli ....Rheumy Nurses will have lots of good advice.

[Cheylann]

My rheumy said there is no problem with the sun and MTX.

[Wobblyone]

It made no difference to me.

[Damamy]

Thanks everyone. I don’t want to keep calling the Rheumy advice line with my random questions even though that’s what it’s there for. My sister used to be a staff nurse in Dermatology and they used to prescribe methotrexate so had a long chat with her last night. I then informed Mr Grumpy that his bank card may be taking a hit this weekend when I go shopping for a hat and loose fitting clothes lol 😱😂🤪

[Pulfs]

I agree with the other posts be careful ,cover up and use factor 50. My skin feels like it's on fire if out in sun too long used to be able to sit out before mtx,now I make for the shade.x

[srnvch64Wal]

You can go out in the sun. Just use suncream a hat and shades and stay inside at the hottest part of the day.