1. < Transplants

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.

JK | @contentandwell | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@jolinda I am red haired and blue eyed. Over the course of my life there were..." + (show)
@gingerw

@jolinda I am red haired and blue eyed. Over the course of my life there were a couple of serious burns, plus years of working outside in all kinds of weather. Sun protection was not touted by society nor medical professionals at that time. In early 2008 I had a spot on right forearm that would get angry red for a few days, then return to slight discoloration and sometimes itching. Since I had had basal cell skin cancers for years, I asked first my primary, then his Nurse Practitioner about it, but they were more concerned w/ a spot on my face. The area was getting larger with irregular borders. When I went to dermatologist for biopsy on spot on face, I convinced him to do one on my arm also, even though all 3 said "it's nothing". Now I sport a 32 stitch scar shaped like a dog bite, loss of nerves and tissue, and am reminded everyday that I am my own best advocate, and need to speak up. I just knew there was something wrong.
Ginger

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@gingerw So true, we really do have to be our own advocate even though at times it feels like we are being a crazy nag. I need to keep this in mind at times when I am concerned about some nagging symptom and the doctor is not. That's one of the things I really like about my orthopedic surgeon, he realizes that sometimes patients are more aware of things than a doctor might be. He really listens to my input.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "Yes, we do eat out when traveling. I guess I have learned to "try" to make..." + (show)
@rosemarya

Yes, we do eat out when traveling. I guess I have learned to "try" to make choices (not always easy when eating out). I do the best that I can, and I try to leverage a splurge with a healthy option. I also like to preview the menu ahead of time so we can decide which restaurant to choose. It is not a perfect plan, but it has been working for me. I also get grumpy, if I have to deprive myself of all of the yummy treats.
This year, we were at 7,000-8,500 ft elevation. We did do a lot less hiking this year, though, and they were shorter hikes. I only used my rescue inhaler (exercise induced asthma) on the days that we set out on a hike, and that was only before we set out on a hike. It is anybody's guess as to why, but I think that I am finally learning to pace myself and go slow.
Both me and my husband were more easily worn out and tired, but my niece who is a ranger out there, said that the altitude does have that effect.
Enjoy your trip!

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@rosemarya Those choices can be difficult. We went out to dinner with another couple on Friday and the only thing on the menu I felt I could get with low sodium was a small steak. I sometimes will bring my own low-salt salad dressing with me too. The other three people on Friday night enjoyed their meals, mine was not so good. It just is not the type of restaurant where you get a steak, and other things that are marinated for hours, or fried, are not good choices.
I can usually resist desserts, but this one gave me a hard time. It was the special dessert of the summer season. I took the picture to send to a friend, sometimes when we dine with them we will share a dessert three ways -- her, her husband, and me. My husband is not much of a sweets eater, except for certain pastries. His father was an Italian pastry chef!
JK
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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "I found some interesting information that I would like to share in this conversation. I think..." + (show)
@rosemarya

I found some interesting information that I would like to share in this conversation. I think that these will show that we are heading in the right direction:-) What do you think?

Sun Hazards in Your Car
https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/are-you-at-risk/sun-hazards-in-your-car
How Do I Protect Myself from UV Rays -
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/uv-protection.html
Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options -
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/best-sunscreen/art-20045110
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Sunscreen Best Practices -
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-apply-sunscreen-generously-and-frequently-for-full-protection/

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@rosemarya Excellent articles, Rosemary. You must have done some mighty research on the topic. Thanks for posting.
JK

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "@jolinda, I like the Coolibar UVA clothing. I think it is made in MN. And it..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@jolinda, I like the Coolibar UVA clothing. I think it is made in MN. And it is soft and quite fashionable. There are specifications for all sorts of activities (swimming, active/moisture wick/casual/dressy/shawls and accessories) Right now there are a lot of items on sale for end of season. http://www.coolibar.com

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@rosemarya I love some of their clothes, but they are a bit pricey. Perhaps their quality is better than Lands End and UV Skinz -- http://www.uvskinz.com. but so far I have dealt primarily with Lands End and I have a nice rash guard from Speedo. I like a lot of UV Skinz's pieces but have not yet purchased from them. I rarely purchase without them being on sale at these places also.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "@estrada53, I like the neutrogena products also!" + (show)
@rosemarya

@estrada53, I like the neutrogena products also!

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@rosemarya @estrada53 I like Neutrogena too and there is one other I have purchased that is not too offensive. I was trying to find the name online and came across this article about the best sunscreens. There was another about the best ones for your face also:
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/g3973/best-new-sunscreens/
I guess I should think about body creams with SPFs too, something I hadn't done before. I am careful of my face and hands, but my arms are exposed in the car. As I have said before though, other than when I am in the car I simply avoid the sun and so far that has worked for me.
JK

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @contentandwell "@rosemarya Excellent articles, Rosemary. You must have done some mighty research on the topic. Thanks for..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@rosemarya Excellent articles, Rosemary. You must have done some mighty research on the topic. Thanks for posting.
JK

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I had a long layover in the airport! With WiFi connection:-)

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 23, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "I had a long layover in the airport! With WiFi connection:-)" + (show)
@rosemarya

I had a long layover in the airport! With WiFi connection:-)

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@rosemarya great use of your time.
JK

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jan 31, 2019

With most of the country feeling the effects of the Polar Vortex, I imaging the last thing on your mind is sun protection!

I just saw this on Mayo's Transplant FB Page about why we have an increased risk of developing skin cancer after our transplant, and what we need to know to protect ourselves.
http://bit.ly/2sU71ak

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "With most of the country feeling the effects of the Polar Vortex, I imaging the last..." + (show)
@rosemarya

With most of the country feeling the effects of the Polar Vortex, I imaging the last thing on your mind is sun protection!

I just saw this on Mayo's Transplant FB Page about why we have an increased risk of developing skin cancer after our transplant, and what we need to know to protect ourselves.
http://bit.ly/2sU71ak

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@rosemarya thanks for posting this. I knew I was high risk, but according to this the risk is even greater than I realized. It came at a good time for me because I want to make a dermatologist appointment this week and I’ve been trying to decide if I should go local or to MGH. This made up my mind - MGH. They have a dermatologist who specializes in post-transplant patients.
JK

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jodeej | @jodeej | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "With most of the country feeling the effects of the Polar Vortex, I imaging the last..." + (show)
@rosemarya

With most of the country feeling the effects of the Polar Vortex, I imaging the last thing on your mind is sun protection!

I just saw this on Mayo's Transplant FB Page about why we have an increased risk of developing skin cancer after our transplant, and what we need to know to protect ourselves.
http://bit.ly/2sU71ak

Jump to this post

Great article. We do have 50 spf shirts, I plan on getting more, and Tim got a great floppy brimmed hat. I will need to make sure he is diligent about wearing sunscreen this coming spring, though!

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