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Imuran and sun light

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/1/2015 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
So I recently found out at 23 I have Crohn's and was put on imuran. I had went to tanning bed (Italian never been a problem). I went for five minutes and had this itching and pins and needles feeling on my legs last week. Itches for two days and only Benadryl worked. I'm panicking because I'm going to Miami for my last college spring break and hoping the natural sun won't have the same effect bc I'll be miserable itching all the time. Not sure what to do. Someone help!
Posted 3/1/2015 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
I believe Imuran is in fact photosensitive. You should really limit your sun exposure. My Daughter is in the same boat, but trying to tell to avoid the sun isn't easy. At the very least, try to avoid sunburns at all costs.
Posted 3/1/2015 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
73monte it is I just googled it but nothing comes up about itching. Just from tanning beds. I have no problem putting on higher spf and not burning it's just the itching im worried about!
Posted 3/1/2015 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
Imuran can cause some people to become sensitive to sunlight.

But what's more important, research is showing that it increases your risk of skin cancer. So I would NEVER go to a tanning bed while on imuran. (I would never go to a tanning bed even if not on imuran, but that's another story...) Anybody on imuran should limit sun exposure and take the usual precautions (sunscreen, hat, sun protective clothes, etc.
Posted 3/1/2015 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Just a guess regarding the itching, but tanning salons use a cleaning solution on the beds. Maybe you're reacting to that.
Posted 3/1/2015 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
last summer i could only go in the sun for five or ten minutest at a time for the first few weeks. i would get a really itchy and burning sensation for some reason. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the humira I'm on. after awhile though i was able to go out in the sun for hours with no problem, it just seems like the first few times your out in the sun your skin is really sensitive.
Posted 3/1/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)

BRelaxed said...
Before I was on 6mp I would tan before I would burn. Now I burn before I get a tan. It's frustrating. You need to put on sun lotion if you're going to be out for any significant period of time. We have a higher risk of skin cancer than others. Also make sure to wear a hat. It sucks but there's no other choice.

I'm ok with having to do that as long as I don't get super itchy like the tanning bed made me! It drove me nuts last week! I bought spf 30 water resistant and spf 50 just in case. Do you think that will be ok?
Posted 3/1/2015 3:35 PM (GMT 0)

Rango16 said...
last summer i could only go in the sun for five or ten minutest at a time for the first few weeks. i would get a really itchy and burning sensation for some reason. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the humira I'm on. after awhile though i was able to go out in the sun for hours with no problem, it just seems like the first few times your out in the sun your skin is really sensitive.

How long did the itching last? I guess I'm just panicking about Miami because I don't want to spend all this money and then go down there and itch like I did in the tanning bed for 36-48hrs just because of sunlight.
Posted 3/1/2015 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on Imuran, too and live in a warm country. Whenever, I have to go out in the sun, I apply a tinted sunblock. It's like a foundation. A friend of mine, who's suffering from cancer, advised me to use a tinted sunblock as it's thicker and lasts on the skin longer than the liquid or milky lotions.
Hope you enjoy your spring break :)
Posted 3/1/2015 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
the itching only lasted a few hours after i got out of the sun.
Posted 3/1/2015 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I, like another poster, wonder about a cleaner or even someone else's lotion, cologne, etc. that may not have been cleaned off properly. I've been on many meds that make one photosensitive and don't remember having sun exposure cause itching.

Post Edited (JaSanne) : 3/1/2015 12:29:55 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/1/2015 7:27 PM (GMT 0)

JaSanne said...
I, like another poster, wonder about a cleaner or even someone else's lotion, cologne, etc. that may not have been cleaned off properly. I've been on many meds that make one photosensitive and don't remember having sun exposure caus itching.

That's what I'm starting to wonder as well. Because both times it lasted 36-48hrs and I feel like any time in my life that I got a heat rash or whatever it lasted a few hours. So I'm wondering if it is the cleaner because I've never had a problem with anything like this before. So hopefully in Miami I know I'm at risk for burning but hopefully no intense multiple day itching.
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