MTX/summer sun

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I'm back from the beach. It was a nice vacation. Only got a little pink. The sun is just too hot for me now. The hotel had a very nice spa, I really enjoyed that and wish I had one at home. I'll have to give hubby some strong hints. It seems that the MTX makes it where I can't stand as much heat but if I had stayed out for very long at the time I would definitely be a crispy critter in only a few minutes. I have always loved being outside and used to get a good tan and could be outside forever without any problems. How long can others in this group be out without problems? Rheumy says the sun is good for the P. Now, I have to wait until the evening to work in the yard, or go to the pond to fish or do anything I like that envolves the outdoors. I think the little pinkness will be fine. I didn't get enough sun that it bothers me as far as a sunburn. Sorry to hear there were so many people depressed while I was gone. O.K. everyone give a big smile, and say a prayer for the ones that are troubled, depressed, in pain, or otherwise experiencing some type of misery. GOD will listen. Groups help by number. No one has to go through this alone. Now, smile and talk, just let it off your mind or aching bones. Cassie

[Guest guest]

B66F@... wrote:

> Not much has been written about sun problems. For me it is not just the

> summer sun, I can last about 10-15 min and I break out with sunpoison anytime

> year round.

What is " sunpoison " exactly? (is it a really bad sunburn?)

> MTX makes it very difficult, add in the tar shampoo and other

> meds for P that a lot of us use and it can spell real problems. I get

> " holes " burned into my skin on my hands when I drive if I don't use SPF 50

> sunscreen or wear gloves.

This is one of my (many) fears about those heavy-duty DMARDs .... :-( ...

especially for

somebody in Arizona.

> I also found a company that makes clothing for " sun sensitive " people. <snip>

Believe it or

> not

> I was able to be outside, in the water, in the pool, etc, wearing their

> special water shirts and hats and of course SPF 50. You can get their

> catalog by calling 1-800-882-7860 or go online at www.sunprecautions.com.

Yes, that's the Solumbra company, and they do make some nifty (if pricey)

clothes, don't they?

I've got a couple of their blouses, and they also offer some very nice (mainly

of interest to

the gals here) facial moisturizer with sunscreen. I find it ironic that they're

located in

Seattle!

--Louise

[Guest guest]

Louise,

In answer to your question

> What is " sunpoison " exactly? (is it a really bad sunburn?)

No, it is not a sunburn, more like a case of chicken pox or " zits " or some

type of skin eruption. I have a real problem with my face and hands. As I

indicated, on my hands the small red outbreaks will get so bad that there is

a small hole that seems to go down to the bone. Of Course the skin in thin

on the hands, no bone showing yet, but I do have a few craters to look at.

On my face it looks like a mild case of pimples (at age 57 no less). The

spots will pop out in a very quick period of sun exposure, like 15-30

minutes. Driving the car is a sure bet that my face and hands will break

out. It is not like I am covered, but these things itch, and will get worse

if I am not careful about the sun and wearing SPF 50. So I can look greasy

or look contagious. The good news, at least for me is that I have no problem

with the arms and legs. When I did get a sunburn on my legs I then had an

outbreak of P at various spots. Used the typical ointments and drugs and the

legs cleared up. Not so with the sunpoison, it has not gone to P (knock

knock some wood). This has been a problem for about 3-4 years now. The PA

is better and the joints are not getting any worse so I will stay with the

current meds and deal with the smaller problem of sunpoison. I can move out

of the sun, can't move away from PA.

Bob in VA