Anyone any info re:

[Whitegate]

MTX and Sun damage to skin anyone?

[bubblyalex]

From the little I know (and really is only a little) all DMARDS make the skin much more susceptible. I’ve been on Sulfasalazine and am on MXT 25mg. I have noticed my already sensitive skin be even more sensitive... even to touch.

[Whitegate in reply to bubblyalex]

Thanks, Bubbly

[oldtimer]

There is information on the NRAS website:nras.org.uk/photosensitivity

Most DMARDs and other medication for Rheumatoid Disease seem likely to make us more sensitive to the sun, occasionally even with an urticarial reaction (an autoimmune reaction that gives you hives).

I've had lots of solar keratoses on my exposed skin and have had to have treatment for them - but I'm also in the right age group for them, so it's difficult to know what caused what.

[barbieg in reply to oldtimer]

Can I ask what hives look like as I’ve never had them and think I might have them now and also what is solar keratosis? This is the first summer since I changed to Methotrexate and I’ve got funny things happening to my skin.

[CagneysMum]

Not sun damage, but I found that when I injected Mtx into my thigh I would get pail patches that didn’t sun tan Like the rest of me for some reason ....so now I inject into my tummy instead which doesn’t get exposed to the sun at 58 ... lol

[QAGS]

I Have had several Actinic Keratosis, due to sun damage when I was younger, usually treated with Efudix cream. They do need watching , as sometimes need to be surgically removed. I take 20 mgm MXT weekly orally. My skin generally since being diagnosed with RA has suffered.

[Whitegate in reply to QAGS]

Many thanks

[Lupymo]

I have no sun sensitivity issues on metho but swapped from hydroxy because the sun sensitivity made me soo miserable even in early springtime I couldn’t cope with the effects. It’s a lottery according to my liaison nurse which meds make you sun sensitive so trial and error. Sorry can’t give you advice

[bienassis]

As I understand it after 32 years first on Azathioprine, then from 1998 on Methotrexate, these drugs do cause sensitivity to strong light - it doesn't have to be particularly sunny - but obviously the light is stronger in the summer. Rashes, can develop on exposed skin.

After 10 years on Azathioprine, I developed a small skin cancer on my nose. The dermatologist who removed it ,successfully, did say at the time that this drug could cause skin cancers after long use - he did add that the research had been carried out in Australia, so the environmental conditions there may have had something to do with it. Whatever the reason, I was switched to Methotrexate, and I don't think this drug has the same effect as that - just rashes and perhaps itchiness.

But always wise to protect the skin!

Happy Days!

[Cattledog]

I had a skin tumour removed from my neck earlier this year. Fortunately it wasn't a melanoma type. I've been on MTX for 30 +years and previously worked outside.

The surgeon advised me to always wear a wide brimmed hat when outside and wear sunscreen.

When you go for treatment you realise how common these tumours are and how nasty and deep some of them are.

[Whitegate in reply to Cattledog]

Ta, cd

[silentpool]

My skin is a mess after two years on methotrexate. I always wear sunscreen but of course sometimes it gets rubbed off (masks on and off!) or comes off with sweat. My face is worst with darker blotches and several new solar keratoses. I put some of the damage down to prednisolone which I had to take for some months on and off in the first year after I was diagnosed. That was probably the cause of my fast growing cataracts too, which thankfully I had treated last year. Oh the joys of RA....

[Whitegate]

Thanks3