possible side effect from Imuran after tanning???

Recently I have gone tanning a few times and about a day or two after I have this incessant itching/needle pin poking feeling all over my legs. It's extremely irritating and benedryl, lotion, aloe and anti-itch creams have not helped at all. I didn't think it was linked to Imuran at first but a friend of mine who is also on Imuran has this same issue after tanning. Has anyone else had this problem? It may not be Imuran related at all but since we both have the same issue and we're both on Imuran it seems to be the most likely culprit.

My son did this recently (on Azasan - same as Imuran), but failed to tell me he went to a tanning bed. He was itching incessantly and couldn't sleep. I was freaked out thinking his liver was failing or something. He finally admitted to lying about his age and using a free tanning coupon a friend gave him. Thankfully it only lasted about 2 days.

Lesson learned!!!

I thought about reporting the salon for not checking ID's (son does NOT look 18), but I didn't...

Aveno oatmeal baths helped a bit, as did gold bond medicated lotion (orange bottle).

I just found out about the increased chance of skin cancer today actually while my friend was trying to research why we have these pin like feelings after tanning. Here is an article someone posted in another forum. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4248356.stm

It seems to me from what I've read that the risk is much greater for people who are taking Imuran after a transplant since their dosage is much higher. Later on in the article it says there is only a theoretical risk for patients who take it for arthritis (I'm assuming my dosage is similar to the arthritis dosage.) I know tanning is bad for you period but I love it. :(

Thanks for all your posts!

I'm on 6MP and I seem to be more susceptible to getting rashes from the sun this summer than in previous summers while on it. I don't know what's changed. My dose is the same. Last week I sat in the sun twice and I was all splotchy on my arms and legs. Thankfully mine didn't itch that much but it looked yucky!

It's crazy because I've been on Imuran for about 6 years now and my dose has stayed the same but until this year I have never had any problems when I've gone tanning. So I'm really confused about why it's happening now. I don't have any reactions to natural sunlight so it's weird that just the tanning bed would do this.  I've told my dermatologist that I'm on Imuran and he has never once mentioned about the additional risk to sun expose and cancer and neither has my GI. I would have thought that if there was that big of a risk in getting skin cancer that at least one of them would have mentioned it to me. My GI is a great doctor and very concerned with side effects of certain drugs so I'm sure if he was that concerned about my sun exposure he would have told me. I think I want to go see both my derm and GI and ask directly about it and see what they say.

I love being tan so it's hard to not go tanning or lay out in the sun.  I might get yelled at for saying this but if we avoided everything that could possibly cause us harm we wouldn't really have a great life...sometimes you just have to make a choice to do it anyway and hope for the best. I think talking to my dermatologist and GI might help me to figure it out what choice to make on this issue though. It won't be the end of the world if I have to avoid the sun but I'd like to not have to 

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Remember that sun exposure is cumulative over your lifetime, and we all have differing tolerances. So it's entirely possible to be on a drug that sensitizes you, have no problems for months or years, and then start having problems. Also, skin cancer can appear with absolutely no previous symptoms.

That said, the dosage people with autoimmune disease take is much lower than what transplant patients take, so the risk is not as high.

Hmm rob_uk that is interesting about the water because I've been drinking a ton lately and that didn't help.

Kazygirl, I'm not entirely convinced my issues are from the Imuran because as I said before it doesn't happen every time I go tanning and it NEVER happens after being exposed to natural sunlight. I also asked the girl at the tanning salon today if people ever complain about itchy legs and she said yes and it can be due to an allergic reaction to their sanitizer and that our legs (as females) are more sensitive because we shave them and there isn't as many layers of skin on them (since shaving exfoliates) which can cause them to react to things easier than the rest of your body. And just in my opinion a "possible" not "definite" side effect shouldn't stop you from going on a medication that can help your UC...well I mean in some cases I'm sure there would be reason not to take a med b/c of a possible side effect but that's why you talk with your doctor and weigh the pros and cons. I love the sun also but that would never keep me from taking Imuran since it has helped me into remission a few times. And as I said before the risk for IBD patients in getting skin cancer from Imuran is only "theoretical" and that is a quote from a scientist who studied about cancer from Imuran in transplant patients. Since their dosage is much higher it is more likely for them to get cancer than it is for us on our level. Also you don't have to be a sun lover to get skin cancer, I've read plenty of stuff that has said just 1 time in the sun can cause skin cancer and there are people who go a lifetime w/o it who are constantly in the sun. It's all about the individual and their body. It's your choice if you want to risk it. No lecture from me about the bad effects of the sun, I'd be a hypocrit to tell you to stay out of the sun! :P

I've never had problems with being on Imuran and the Sun. I even work in Child care. I just wonder if the problem with the meds is the tanning booth. That's ALOT of light in an enclosed area.

i don't know why you're subjecting yourself to such easily avoidable risks and complications. have you seen what older people look like after years of tanning? skin turns to cow hide leather.

Everyone does something that other people won't approve of but it is still that person's choice. It's the same old cycle, the older people telling younger people what could happen by them doing certain things but yet the younger people are going to try it or do it anyway. So let's respect their choices eh?

I haven't been much of a tanner myself. I just can't sit still long enough! LOL And maybe that is why I look like I'm in my late 20's instead of almost 40.........who knows. I have a couple of good friends who love to go tanning in beds and they are 3 years younger then me but look alot older.