Methotrexate sunburn

[my little penguin]

DS is on humira and Mtx.
He swims a lot.
So far no matter what sunscreen he puts on he is getting burnt on his neck and face.
As of now he is not allowed in the pool until almost 5 o'clock .
He wears rash guard shirts plus googles and a swim cap to help with protection.
Ideas for protecting the neck or face while swimming ???
Sunscreen has 23% zinc oxide in it.

 

[Lam123]

What SPF is using? And how often are you applying it?
I am very sensitive to the sun aswell. I wear SPF 60 and re apply it very often. I still get a small tan, but no burn. What brand are you using?

 

[Patricia56]

For a long time Badger burned every time even with SPF 50 applied hourly. But we discovered it was mostly a problem the day after he took it and got much better after that. Are you seeing anything like that?

 

[my little penguin]

SPF 85 or SPF 40 etc...some normal sunscreens some half zinc/half sunscreen
Less than an hour in the pool
Mtx is on Thursday so two days after
At least it didn't blister
Last summer humira only at the beach
SPF 100 and blistering burns on his nose and upper lip
Again less than an hour - in the water rest of the time under a floppy hat /tent
Reapplying every time they got out or every hour .

Just trying to let him swim
All other outdoor times he wears a floppy hat with the neck guard

 

[Farmwife]

Have you asked the dermatologist about this?
Could it be some kind of crazy reaction that the sun or sunscreen brings out?

For Grace we us 60 SPF and no sunburn.......yet.

 

[Lam123]

I agree, I would ask the dermotologist. Whenever I have taken meds that make me sensitive to the sun, a high SPF and applying often does the trick. And I also am very fair skin.

 

[Maya142]

This JUST started happening to M (but she's on Imuran and Sulfaslazine not MTX) -- she's burning after even just an hour of swimming even though she's using waterproof sunscreen (SPF 60 or 85). No blistering though, your poor boy!

No idea what to do, I was thinking of asking her dermatologist who she has to see soon anyway.

 

[Catherine]

Get his vitamin d levels checked. Then supplement to get the top of the range.

The lower the vitamin d level the quicker you burn.

 

[my little penguin]

His vitamin d levels are low but he has been supplementing per the Gi since Jan .

 

[araceli]

Maya. Both MTX and sulfasalazine may cause you to became sunburned more easy.

 

[AZMOM]

Poor baby. Claire wears the 50 and a hat due to the MTX. She gets some come & go pink but no blistering. I'm so sorry!!! I'd call Derm too!

J.

 

[kimmidwife]

I would reccomend those special shirts with sunscreen. I know they were invented in Australia. I think you can get them online. They sell shirts, special hats etc. they really work.

 

[Catherine]

Are you applying sunscreen 20 mins before exposure?

 

[Jenn]

My son's cheeks and nose get pretty bad, especially with swimming. I've found bullfrog or the masking zinc oxide (stays white) stays on best. Dermatologist might know of a prescription sunscreen?

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

We have issues with sunburns too. MTX does make one more sun-sensitive. A couple things I have been told: A sunscreen with SPF 60, 75, 100, etc., has to be reapplied as often as SPF 50 as it sweats off just as fast. And sunscreens are only water resistant, but will still tend to wash away in water.

 

[Mehita]

This is what I was referring to about DS several months ago during his tennis season - burning so easily even with sunscreen. Maybe it's an immune thing? Or and EIM? I did ask his GI at our last appt and he said he wasn't aware of any connections.

 

[my little penguin]

Went with a completely zinc oxide based ( physical sunscreen ) the highest you get is SPF 30- trying badger balm .
He wears sun protective clothing swimming
Long sleeve rash guard
Swim cap to cover ears
Googles for eyes
And long swim trunks

If this doesn't work ordering a scuba like neck head thing
And swim able hat - to try

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

I hope the badger balm works for your son. I'd be interested in hearing your review of it once you've given it a test drive!

 

[Momtotwo]

where did you find a swim hat?

 

[Catherine]

What about the swim hood?