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Sunshine and methotrexate..help???

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/11/2007 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on methotrexate and even putting on sunscreen (lathering it on) doesn't seem to prevent redness and irritation from the sun. Wearing jeans, I get this strange rash on my legs. I'm wondering if anybody else gets this? My face although mostly protected from the sun will still feel hot as if its burning. Before I began the methotrexate I was sun sensitive but this has made it 10x worse and I am wondering if this is normal? Today I am taking my children and some friends to the swimming pool and I am fearful of being out in the sun!!
Posted 6/12/2007 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
This hasn't been a problem for me YET...but I do live in Florida...so I'll have to see. Did you call your doc about it? Seems like you got pretty severe reaction if it burned you through your jeans.....
Maybe it's something else?
Posted 6/12/2007 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know, but I was not out for that long and I got a horrid sunburn on my arms, and when I went to change, my legs were even red! Please be careful, because even with sunscreen my face and arms get red and feels like they are burning. But then I am fair skinned so that could make a difference!
Posted 6/13/2007 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Mom, One of the listed side effects of MTX is a red skin rash. Could it be that you are not burned, but experiencing this? Of course it is also recommended to avoid sun exposure due to the risk of increased sun sensitivty. Maybe you should talk to your Doc and determine which of these is causing your redness. I can't think of a way to tell. A burn would have heat, but a red rash would also be hot from the increased circulation.

I hope you find an answer soon.
Posted 6/13/2007 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,I use to be on methotrexate and I would burn real easy and I would soak my self in sunscreen and it did not help.Keah is right it does say that.I have other meds that make me sun sinative as well.I just try to cover up when I know I will be out side.
Posted 6/13/2007 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
i keep out of the sun and we rarely get sun lol!!!!! i did do pool therapy today....... i could move so wellin the water. now i am dying on land. my daughter told me i should turn into a mermaid and she would bring me food. lol i just might try that!
Posted 6/13/2007 3:47 AM (GMT 0)

Mom, I know exactly what you are talking about - I've had that happen as well. I believe when I had a similar problem I was on mtx as well as sulphasalazine. I fear I might be a candidate for skin cancer because my arms and chest have burned constantly due to sun sensitivity. I'll stop to talk to someone in the parking lot for 15 minutes and have a sunburn (granted, I also live in SoCal). I also recall even covering up in clothes I felt like the sun was burning me - similar to your story. I think jeans are so thick and absorb the heat, it doesn't help.

I would STRONGLY recommend you wearing a big floppy hat or a bucket hat to help keep you shaded as much as possible if there is no shade to retreat to. Also, if you are in a suit, cover yourself up with the towel periodically to keep yourself shaded as often as possible when you are out of the water. Of course, use the strongest sunscreen you can find as well. Remember, technically, if it is SPF 50, that means you are supposed to reapply it every 50 minutes.

*****

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