Anyone have tips on sun protection?

Skin cancers, I find, just come to me. I’m better with Using sunscreens now but...
Please advise, if you know, how do Y’all find a Transplant Team in Scottsdale, AZ?
I don’t even have a nephrologist yet, so still use UCSD in CA. Been here a year. Thanks for all insight ...

@sallycurrier Looking back over your posts I see that you have had a kidney transplant so do you now need another or are you moving and need to find a transplant center for your continued care? My response is formed on the assumption that you are in need of a transplant again but you can use the same resources to find a transplant center for continuing care.

When I discovered that I needed a liver transplant I googled to find the transplant centers close to me. You can also find them by going to the SRTR.org site. SRTR is the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. It lists data about all of the hospitals that do transplants for each type of transplant.

When I was diagnosed with cirrhosis my PCP suggested I go to one transplant center. I had a consultation there and neither my husband nor I cared for the doctor we dealt with - she was like a little Nazi, very abrupt and dictatorial. We both knew she was not who we wanted to be dealing with for the long haul so I did some research using the methods I mention, plus other rating sites, and chose to go to Mass General in Boston which turned out to be an excellent decision, they were wonderful and still are. They are rated the second-best hospital in the country, next to Mayo in MN, so I knew I would not go wrong there.

At MGH (Mass General) you start out being seen by a hepatologist. When your MELD is high enough to qualify you for a transplant you spend a day meeting with representatives from all different specialties that you will be seeing for tests, plus the financial people and someone from the psychiatry area -- some people have depression before and/or after transplant.

Sunscreens were discussed here also. You sure live in an area where they are necessary every day. I generally use moisturizers or foundations that have an SPF and also a hand cream that has one -- your hands are exposed a lot, particularly if you are driving. The thing I do most though is simply to avoid the sun. Although living in New England, most of the year I don't have the blazing sun that you have I do have a very light complexion and have gotten some very severe sunburns in the past, really when I was much younger so I am fairly careful.
JK

Thanks for your reply.
Fortunately I do NOT need a new transplant, only someone to follow the one I’ve had for 18/years.
I’ve always had ‘A Team’ follow me at UCSD where I got my kidney. Moving to AZ I miss that and do not even have a Nephrologist yet. It’s scary to “just pick” one...

@sallycurrier I believe the Mayo Clinic Phoenix campus is very near you. Contact them through their appointment page here https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointment-requests

My husband had kidney transplant October 2016 at Scripps La Jolla!
Ginger

@jolinda and all,
The knowledge exchange in the Transplants group does not go unnoticed. Your tips on sun protection and safety helped to create this article written for the Mayo Clinic app. Knowledge for patients by patients and beyond Mayo Clinic Connect. Your tips were shared for the million followers using the Mayo Clinic app and followers of Mayo Clinic's social media channels.
- Transplant recipients share their best sun safety tips https://www.mayoclinic.org/CPT-20514169

I realize I am late to this discussion, apologies. Please read about the benzenes that have been found in Sunscreen. Go to the Environmental Working Group’s website and look for sunscreens rated a two or less as these are much safer for us. Things we put on our skin are metabolized by our kidneys and liver. Many of you know that I got my first kidney transplant in 1987, the second in 2000. You don’t know that I have had one Melanoma (In Situation) removed and countless Squamous and Basel Cell Cancers removed (some requiring extensive plastic surgery to repair). I have used sunscreen since the first days it came out and was recommended. I wear Coolibar, Solumbra, Solbari and Sunday Afternoons sun protective clothing. La Roche Posay makes incredible sunscreen. Today, I put on their Toleraine 30 SPF - it is rated a #2 by EWG. Follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Go for SPF 50+ fabric gloves from Coolibar or one of the other SPF companies. I am careful where I buy though - relying on fake SPF is just sad.

@lizzy102, I like the Coolibar clothes for my outdoor activities. I have a collection to the moisture wicking long sleeved tees that I wear for hiking and walking.
Do you know, or have you ever seen any information for how long the SPF protection lasts with repeated washings?

Hi Rosemary, If you take care of your SPF clothing properly you can expect years of use. These are hints for how to get maximum life:
Cold water wash on delicate cycle (during the summer I can easily fill a load with my lovely SPF clothes every week!). Hang to dry. Do not wring or twist. I wash all of my SPF shirts and blouses in lingerie bags, pants on delicate cycle. I use the mildest laundry detergent I can find - Linen Wash - lingerie or Woolite. So many of my clothes are SPF rated, it’s just easier to wash the rest of my laundry with the same detergents. Enjoy!

I’m also late to this party, but as an avid golfer, this was a major concern. My dermatologist suggested mineral-based sunscreens (without benzene!), so I tried Cetaphil Broad Spectrum SPF 50, 3 oz for $11 online. It leaves a bit of a white cast due to the zinc, but it works well! I also use a sun protection cooling “shawl” that has sleeves but goes around the back of your neck. I bought the WoLover brand for $10 online. It’s very comfortable and the sleeves don’t fall down.