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Sunburn and Methotrexate

Posted , 18 users are following.

sonya78375
sonya78375

Hi, I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and have just started on methotrexate.  The packet says protect yourself from sunshine - just wondering if anyone has experience of effects of sun when you are on methotrexate?  I understand that if it works then I could be on it for years and years, and we live in New Zealand where the sun is extremely burning anyway because of the southern hemisphere ozone hole (this is a real scientific thing in case it sounds strange to you).  We are a family of surfers (ha ha not me any more :-(  )  and outdoor people so I'm really keen to hear from anyone who knows about this from their personal experience.  Thank you.

1 like, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie sonya78375

    Posted

    Hi

    i ve taken mxt for 2 years

    i m in the uk so not loads of sun but I have noticed greater likelihood to get red face in the sun than previously, so put on high factor sun cream and do wear a hat. 

  • tony09890
    tony09890 sonya78375

    Posted

    Giving up surfing was nothing to do with MTX actually,   I hadn't surfed for years, life just got in the way, but when I retired I bought a board and on my first outing realised I could get in trouble here:   being a diabetic now I thought if I have a hypo out here in the water, I'm done for so I sold the board.   Just as well I suppose:   a sunburnt head really hurts - takes about 5 minutes now!

    MTX has done absolutely nothing for me,  I certainly hope you get better results than me.   Since starting around 8-9 months ago the RA has spread like wildfire:  finger, thumb, wrists, forearms, elbows, neck middle back and now shoulders and lung nodules.   

    • sonya78375
      sonya78375 tony09890

      Posted

      Gosh, that sounds really terrible.  Have you been on other stuff?  I was pretty bad since starting RA in February but Prednisone made a huge difference though not perfect.  I've had knees ankles toes feet hips neck jaw wrists fingers, and my feet are so swollen I can't wear shoes, only sandals/jandals/ugg boots.  Now just down to fingers knees and feet through Prednisone, though I know you can't take it for too long.  Have you been on MTX for 8 months?  If shorter, I was told by my specialist that if it's going to work it will in 3 months, otherwise they try other stuff.  Do you not have that option?   Anyway funnily enough back to the surfing, I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 6 years and have worked out how to surf without too much danger.  I wear a sugar packet in my wetsuit sleeve and eat before I go out.  But I don't know if I'm going to be able to anymore, oh well I suppose there are other things in life.  Definitely forewarned about the sunburn now, ow, tnx. 
  • gillfar
    gillfar sonya78375

    Posted

    Hi Sonya,

    I live in the UKso no idea how much sun you get in NZ.  However I am a red head with freckles and I burn very very easily.  I have been on MTX for the past 5 months for RA and have been being just about as cautious as normal.  I have not taken any additional precautions and do not seem to have had any unusually adverse reactions to what sun we have had here.  I use fa ctor 25 or 30 sun screen on all exposed skin routinely and have continued to do so and do not sit in the sun at the height of the day but am content to sit in it in the mornings and later in the afternoon after say 4 pm.  Same as usual.  My info says the risks are the same as if you are on the pill so not too bad so long as you use common sense.  have a safe summer and enjoy the weather.   x

    • sonya78375
      sonya78375 gillfar

      Posted

      Hi!  Yes I was on MTX for half a year including half of summer, off now due to bad side effects.  But I didn't notice much difference with sunburn, just took normal precautions like you.  Phew! :-)

  • tony35673
    tony35673 sonya78375

    Posted

    MTX isn't the only RA med that causes the skin to be sensitive to sunshine.   I was a surfer in my younger years, that combined with fair skin caused a few problems, but now I'm on RA meds (not MTX) I can't go out in the sun unprotected for more than 5 minutes without getting burnt - fact of life now., welcome to the wonderful world of RA.

  • vanessa_62708
    vanessa_62708 sonya78375

    Posted

    I have been on MTX for 3 weeks now taking 10mg a week.....I've been in the sun every weekend since I started it and I've not noticed anything unusual as far as rash or burn! 😊 But, this week I have had quite a bit of nausea and diarrhea! Does anyone know of ways to help these side effects? We all have to hang tough and hopefully they will find a cure! 😊

  • Orbie
    Orbie sonya78375

    Posted

    I take 17.5mg of Methotrexate for dermatitis and have out in the sun today, I now have rash on my stomach, back and both legs which haven't seen any sun since last year! However my arms and face are just brown.

  • karen612
    karen612 sonya78375

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I have been taking 12.5 mg of methotrexate for about a year and haven't had any particular sun sensitivity.  I am pretty religious about sunscreen and covering up,  but am outside a lot including time on the beach in a bathing suit without a problem.  I'm not extremely fair, but I don't really tan, freckled skin, if that helps.  You all down under wrote the book on sun protection, so I'm sure you'll be fine.  And don't rule out the surfing! My experience with Methotrexate has been pretty good.  I'm definitely not 100% and don't expect to be, and I haven't been able to return to running but can walk or cycle for exercise comfortably.  I've never surfed, but I would think that it would be pretty good low impact exercise once you are feeling better.  I'm confident you will feel better!  Rest up and give it some time. Best of luck to you.

  • Missleah
    Missleah sonya78375

    Posted

    I've recently been diagnosed with RA ! Started on Salazopyrin but came off it after 4 weeks due to a bad reaction ! Heat rash across arms back and chest it was literally burning ! Back to my doctor who started me on a low dose of Methotrexate 12.5mg a week ! We live in a hot county anyway (Middle East) & our going for beach vacation tomorrow ! I've got my bikinis packed & am a real sun worshipper ! My doctor seems to think I will be fine in sun, with alcohol etc ! Hope so ! Since diagnose my body doesn't feel like my own anymore most days ! 

  • christine03866
    christine03866 sonya78375

    Posted

    Hi I live in South Africa and have been on MTX since 2003, i have not had a problem with sun burn untill a month ago, my husband uses a sun lotion that is 99 sf it is imported from Spain he has had a number of cancers removed.

    our local pharmacy is no longer importing it(i wish i had known that in December as we had friends visiting from Spain. at the moment i am looking for alternatives.

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