Itchy skin following sun exposure

[Pine Barrens]

Hi all

Started a dose of 175mg Aza earlier this year when the weather wasn't so good.

Went and enjoyed a day in the sun on Sunday and since then I've had really itchy skin on areas which were exposed to the sun. The skin itself looks fine, but the itch is horrendous and has stopped me sleeping at night.

I obviously have learned my lesson that sun + Aza don't mix, but does anyone have any cures for the itch so I can get some sleep tonight?!

 

[Chrismac]

I am on 150mg Aza and usually get itchy hands and feet. It drives me crazy sometimes. After yesterday in the sun I had the same.. I find that my hands get really hot at night, and putting cream on makes it worse. Cold water is the only thing that helps me really. Also I make sure that my feet and hands aren't touching anything.. hanging over the edge of the bed.

 

[Pine Barrens]

Unfortunately it's my entire arms and legs below the knee so I'm a bit pickled at the moment!

 

[Nosick]

I had that happen one winter when I went to Hawaii. Itched where exposed to the sun but no rash. I ended up in the emergency room! They gave me a Benadryl infusion.

I asked my doc when I got back and he said it was a drug reaction that is rare but does happen.

 

[Aura]

I use solarcaine for itch bites and burns, also aloe vera may soothe, stingoes also takes away by itch - what about a antihistimane?

 

[Pine Barrens]

Tried Benadryl and Cetirizine, neither worked. Currently covered in calomine which has relieved me slightly.

Seeing IBD nurses tomorrow so hopefully they may have a suggestion.

 

[Chrismac]

Good old Calamine. Reminds me of my sister having chicken pox as a kid. My next suggestion would also be an antihistamine. Or a cold bath. I'd go with the antihistamine.

 

[zipster1]

My son's on 150mg aza per day and has also came out in a rash on his hands. Doc has attributed it to photosensitivity caused by the aza. His remedy is 50+ factor suncream but not tried his theory out yet. The IBD nurse thinks doc has called it right.

 

[BJ1996]

I've experienced this for many years. I saw a Dermatologist about it quite a long time ago, he confirmed that it was a photosensitivity from the drug. Taking antihistamine will provide a very mild benefit, but only if you take it before sun exposure, afterwards doesn't do much. You'll notice that it doesn't occur on areas of skin, such as hands and face, that are regularly exposed to sunlight. Hence, the only way I've found to deal with it is to progressively introduce sun exposure and build up resistance on other parts of the body. So at the start of each summer when you start wearing short sleeves, I will limit sun exposure at first and gradually build up. Sun screen makes no difference from the itchiness perspective, you need to be out of the sun or covered.

 

[Dreamer]

My partner had the same thing and they gave him off the counter sun burn gel and it helped the itching.

Wishing you well.