sitting in the sun

[abannister]

has anyone on methotrexate been told not to sit in the sun but get prescription sunscreen factor 30 or 50

[Hidden]

Hi,

I am on MTX and have not been told to keep out of the sun or anything about using a high factor sun cream.

Mary

[julie49]

hi i,m on embrel injections and get really sunburnt in the sun,didnt get sunburn at all before coming on this,allways been white skined,never had a tan before,and ive told doctor but they havent said anything about it......

[abannister]

my district nurse told me this afternoon, to cover up and get out of the sun because of MTX

[essexgirl]

Hi

i have read that you shouldnt sit in the sun for a long time because of the MTX but you dont have to avoid the sun because its the best way to get your Vitamin D

debs

[Beth58]

I've been on both MTX and Leflunomide and never had any problems with the sun, though I do have an olive skin. However, a few yrs ago while taking Lef I burnt really badly on a sunbed, I'd only been on 2 minutes and had to come off as I was burning. Next day it was so bad I had to go into hospital for treatment, the medical profession said it was probably bad tubes rather than the medications.

So perhaps it's more to do with skin type!

Beth x

[Hidden]

I have been out in the sun a lot over the past few days racking up on Vit D and although I'm very fair and used to burn easily I've just got a lot more freckles but otherwise unaffected this time - and I'm on MTX and it's never been mentioned that this might be a problem.

[helixhelix]

Again, like most things with RA it seems, people are hugely variable. Since I went on MTX I have dreadful sun sensitivity - this from a person who hadn't had sunscreen in the house since the kids were little. And the sulpha has now made it worse. I have big hats, factor 60 sunblock, and make like a vampire when sun is out as I creep around in the shady places. It's not just sunburn for me, but my skin erupts in extreme bumpiness, and also cracks - so have cuts opening up over knuckles that take months to heal - and I get intense headaches.

I suggest you test out your own reactions cautiously, and if you're fine then don't worry too much.

Polly

[helixhelix]

And I forgot, if you read the patients leaflets, sun sensitivity is down as one of the possible side effect, but I think at the 1 in 10,000 people on MTX get it level. P

[cathie]

Yes i get it badly. I think its light rather than direct sun. I get a sore red reaction which spreads on my face. Its inflamed and blistery pouches come up around my eyes. It lasts about a week. Ive had this very badly about four times in ten years but i do keep out of the sun even put my hat on to put washing out yesterday.

Im on mtxate and infliximab.

[essexgirl]

That seems good news ... better put the bikini on then .... actually that would prob do more damage to other people the site of me in a bikini lol

[sylvi]

You should always use sunscreen if your going out in the sun anyway,but yes i have been told to wear sunscreen when i go out in the sun. I always have to have a hat on as the mtx affects the eyes as well. sylvi.xx

[flowerpot]

hi, am on mtx and have been told to use sunscreen, [ though it is common sense really] using 25 at moment and reapplying regular, and not staying too long in sun, and not forgetting the sun glasses, as like sylvi it hurts the eyes, sue x

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi

This is something that's come up a few times on here, particularly lately with the unseasonably hot weather we've had. I put a couple of useful links you might be interested in on another post:

nras.healthunlocked.com/que...

Kind regards

Victoria

[Kathyfitz12]

I think this is very subjective & very much depends on your skin type.. I had radiotherapy and was told to stay out of the sun - I then spent months in an Australian Summer - got a lovely suntan,and when I returned my oncologist complimemted me on my tan!! Same with MTX - I get a suntan and have never had any problems - use a good suntan cream,stay out of the midday sun, be sensible and see how you go.