Anyone have tips on sun protection?

Posted by jolinda @jolinda, Sep 11, 2018

I've known that for a long time that transplant patients need to be especially careful when it comes to sun protection because we are more susceptible to skin cancer. In just the last month I have learned about two tips that were new to me:
1. At my annual Dermatologist appointment I learned that I should be reapplying sunscreen every few hours throughout the day. Yikes, I didn't realize this!
2. A fellow kidney transplant patient told me he purchased specialty sun protection clothing for wearing outside. Who knew?
I am wondering if any of you have other tips or tricks for sun protection that are just as valuable. Please share!

MODERATOR'S NOTE
The knowledge exchange shared in this discussion helped to create this article written for the Mayo Clinic app. Knowledge for patients by patients and beyond Mayo Clinic Connect.
– Transplant recipients share their best sun safety tips https://www.mayoclinic.org/CPT-20514169

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Ever since @gingerw mentioned getting sun through the car windows I've found myself being very aware of this. It's actually incredible how much time I spend driving around with sun directly on me. Has anyone else noticed this too? Maybe I need and SPF shirt in the car with to slip on from time to time as added protection? Thanks @gingerw for bringing this to my attention, who knows it may save me a skin cancer problem down the road (pun intended)!

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@jolinda

Ever since @gingerw mentioned getting sun through the car windows I've found myself being very aware of this. It's actually incredible how much time I spend driving around with sun directly on me. Has anyone else noticed this too? Maybe I need and SPF shirt in the car with to slip on from time to time as added protection? Thanks @gingerw for bringing this to my attention, who knows it may save me a skin cancer problem down the road (pun intended)!

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@jolinda I am glad to have brought that to light. Some background on that from my story. In 1988 I was diagnosed w/ systemic lupus, and had severe light sensitivity. My rheumatologist prescribed tinted windows. Here in CA, windows on driver's and front passenger doors must remain clear. I have had tinted windows for 30 years, and have had numerous traffic stops for my windows. The only actual citation I received, was fought in court, along with a lot of documentation. My basic argument was that not allowing my tinted windows sentenced me to living like a vampire, and robbing me of any semblance of normal life. The judge threw the case out; the officer was livid. Now w/ multiple skin cancers, my tinted windows have been a factor to protect me, along w/ sunscreen. My malignant melanoma BTW, was on right forearm, and took flap surgery w/ 32 stitches. I lost muscle, tissue, and nerves, so it is an everyday reminder, right in my face, of what can happen.
Ginger

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@jolinda

Ever since @gingerw mentioned getting sun through the car windows I've found myself being very aware of this. It's actually incredible how much time I spend driving around with sun directly on me. Has anyone else noticed this too? Maybe I need and SPF shirt in the car with to slip on from time to time as added protection? Thanks @gingerw for bringing this to my attention, who knows it may save me a skin cancer problem down the road (pun intended)!

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I found out how strong sun rays are thru car windows when I drove to NM from MN in late fall a few years ago! I was stunned at how dark my arms were!! I now always cover my body in long sleeves, lotion and put up detachablble/see-thru screens on the side windows!! I had skin cancer on my nose that left a deep snaky scar.

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Additionally we down here in Arizona put window tinting on our cars so we don’t have to worry about the UV rays coming into our cars.

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Here is my recent “fashion” statement from a week outdoors in Mesa Verde National Park (sunny and hot).
I prefer UVA/moisture wicking clothing. And I like sports sunscreen because it lasts longer.
For everyday use, though, I like to use a daily moisturizing lotion with sunscreen.

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@rosemarya

Here is my recent “fashion” statement from a week outdoors in Mesa Verde National Park (sunny and hot).
I prefer UVA/moisture wicking clothing. And I like sports sunscreen because it lasts longer.
For everyday use, though, I like to use a daily moisturizing lotion with sunscreen.

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@rosemarya I love moisture wicking uva clothing too. It's what my husband and I wear when we ride motorcycle. We need to get more shirts like that.

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@rosemarya

Here is my recent “fashion” statement from a week outdoors in Mesa Verde National Park (sunny and hot).
I prefer UVA/moisture wicking clothing. And I like sports sunscreen because it lasts longer.
For everyday use, though, I like to use a daily moisturizing lotion with sunscreen.

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Posh and protected!
You look wonderful @rosemarya
I love to see people living their best life!

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@jolinda

Ever since @gingerw mentioned getting sun through the car windows I've found myself being very aware of this. It's actually incredible how much time I spend driving around with sun directly on me. Has anyone else noticed this too? Maybe I need and SPF shirt in the car with to slip on from time to time as added protection? Thanks @gingerw for bringing this to my attention, who knows it may save me a skin cancer problem down the road (pun intended)!

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@jolinda I do know I have gotten color on my arms when in the car for a long time, but that was quite a while ago. Funny, it hasn't happened for quite a while. I wonder if my windows have a slight tint. If so it's definitely not very noticeable.
JK

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@rosemarya

Here is my recent “fashion” statement from a week outdoors in Mesa Verde National Park (sunny and hot).
I prefer UVA/moisture wicking clothing. And I like sports sunscreen because it lasts longer.
For everyday use, though, I like to use a daily moisturizing lotion with sunscreen.

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@rosemarya Rosemary, you look positively fabulous. You look like a young chick there too! When I think of what you went through and how well you are now, it really is amazing, isn't it? When you go away how do you manage to eat out a lot? I find that a problem and so try to not eat out much at all. Expensive restaurants will cater to you, but you don't always want to go to expensive restaurants. It's easy to stay away from fried food, it's the sodium that I have problems with. Many restaurants have things semi-prepared ahead of time with a lot of salt.
When we visit our son next month in Denver I told him I would like to do some hiking but he seems to think that the high altitude will make it too difficult for us. I think I would do fine with it. I know it is more difficult to breathe, I have been two times to Aspen which is at quite a high altitude, but I don't think the areas around Denver are as high as that was.
JK

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@tucsonguy

Additionally we down here in Arizona put window tinting on our cars so we don’t have to worry about the UV rays coming into our cars.

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Good idea, Bob, is tinting costly?

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