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Certain Drugs May Increase Your Sunburn Risk

If you don’t see yours here, be sure to ask your doctor; many other drugs, such as certain antibiotics, can cause photosensitivity, too. Here are some of the culprits that are used to treat autoimmune disease, listed from most likely to cause a reaction to least.

Drugs That Often Cause Photosensitivity

Trexall (methotrexate)Tetracyclines, antibiotics used for Lyme disease and occasionally as an anti-inflammatory

Drugs That May Cause Photosensitivity

Imuran (azathioprine)Restasis (cyclosporine)Aczone (dapsone)Arava (leflunomide)NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve)Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)Hydrochlorthiazide

Drugs That Rarely Cause Photosensitivity

Biologics, unless the patient developed drug-induced lupus while on a TNF inhibitorCellCept (mycophenolate motfetil)Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)Steroids

Protect Yourself From Photosensitivity and Sunburn

Everyone has to be careful in the sun, but if you’re taking a sun-sensitive drug, you need to be extra rigorous — and these medication side effects are difficult to predict. RELATED: Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen: What Is the Difference?   According to Dr. Brodell, every drug has a different half-life, which means they each take different amounts of time to clear out of your system. Some may be cleared within 36 hours; others may take more or less time. “It’s not necessarily predictable how long you have to be careful. Ask your doctor, but even then, err on the side of caution,” says Brodell. RELATED: Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: The Facts Remember the following to help keep yourself protected.

  1. Sunscreen Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that covers both UVA and UVB rays. “Try different products to find one that you like — cream, spray, gel, lotion. If you don’t get the one you like, you won’t use it,” says Brodell. Ideally, reapply every three hours, but at least twice a day. If you’re sweating a lot or swimming, reapply more often and use a water-resistant sunscreen. Also, keep in mind that UV rays can go through clouds and can bounce off snow in winter, so wear sunscreen regardless of the weather. Note: Several sunscreens have been taken off the market because of the presence of benzene, a carcinogen. ConsumerLabs has published a complete list of products with benzene; not all have been taken off the market. RELATED: 6 Places You’re Missing When You Apply Sunscreen
  2. Sunglasses Eyes are sensitive to the sun, too. Buy sunglasses that have UV protection.
  3. Full coverage Wear a broad-brimmed hat, long-sleeved light-colored shirts, and long pants. UV rays can sometimes get through clothing, so you might want to try sun-protective clothing products and accessories specifically recommended for those with sun sensitivity, such as those made by Solumbra.
  4. Do not visit tanning booths.
  5. Regular checkups Make sure to check in yearly with a dermatologist.  “There is an increased skin cancer risk with biologics, like TNF inhibitors, and other immunosuppressives, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine,” says Anne R. Bass, MD, a professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. In addition, check yourself all over once a month. If you see something growing or changing, make an appointment.
  6. Medication options If you’re having a lot of trouble avoiding burns and rashes, ask your doctor about possibly changing medication.

After Sun Care: How to Cool the Burn  

If you do happen to suffer from sunburn, Brodell recommends taking an NSAID for pain, if you doctor allows it.Apply cold compresses.Avoid all UV exposure.Drink liquids to rehydrate.While skin is damp, apply moisturizing lotion.Apply over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream twice daily to calm redness, itching, and swelling.People with RA face an increased risk of infection, so if you have a widespread, blistering sunburn, seek medical help, and do not scratch. This can be treated in a hospital with silver sulfadiazine cream. For smaller areas of blisters, heat a needle in a match to sterilize it and poke the blisters to drain their fluid — the roof of the blister will fall on the base to act as a natural bandage. Then apply antibacterial ointment.Any burn that’s associated with honey-colored crusting, expanding redness, fever, or chills is likely infected and requires a physician’s care.

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