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.

Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 7, 2022

I didn't know that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Did you? It is getting warm outside, and the welcoming warmth and sunshine are calling us to come outside and play. As transplant patients we already know about the importance of sun protection. When I came across this feature on the Mayo News Network this morning, I knew that I wanted to share it here!

Consumer Health: Understanding skin cancer and how to prevent it
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/consumer-health-understanding-skin-cancer-and-how-to-prevent-it/#
Whether you are new to transplant, or are a seasoned recipient, How faithful are you about using your sunscreen?

REPLY
callalloo | @callalloo | May 7, 2022

My dermatologist is board-certified in three areas of skin cancer and has his patients, many of whom live in Florida, use only the old-fashioned "barrier" sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) as he thinks the newer "chemical" ones (oxy- and avobenzone among others) are inefficient, degrade very quickly in sunlight and there's growing evidence that they are hormone-interrupters. They also get absorbed by the skin whereas the barrier sunscreens do not. And they have a short shelf life after the container is opened, estimated to be less than 18 months by some researchers. But shorter in hot, sunny climates. And they are being outlawed in some areas as reefs are dying off where swimmers are using them.

Dr. C. and his young family all use the Tizo sunscreens as it has an ability to protect against UV-C rays as well.

There was a famous lawsuit against a company making chemical sunscreens. A family vacationing in Florida bought their product, used it scrupulously according to directions and ended up in the hospital with bad sunburns. This suit led the FDA to re-look at sunscreens and the instability of the chemical ones and, as a result, they now require expiration dates on the packaging. So caveat emptor. The sun exposure today is harsher than what our parents grew up with. And if you do nonetheless get a bad sunburn, emu oil works quickly to help limit the damage.

REPLY
1 reply
callalloo | @callalloo | May 8, 2022
In reply to @callalloo "My dermatologist is board-certified in three areas of skin cancer and has his patients, many of..." + (show)
@callalloo

My dermatologist is board-certified in three areas of skin cancer and has his patients, many of whom live in Florida, use only the old-fashioned "barrier" sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) as he thinks the newer "chemical" ones (oxy- and avobenzone among others) are inefficient, degrade very quickly in sunlight and there's growing evidence that they are hormone-interrupters. They also get absorbed by the skin whereas the barrier sunscreens do not. And they have a short shelf life after the container is opened, estimated to be less than 18 months by some researchers. But shorter in hot, sunny climates. And they are being outlawed in some areas as reefs are dying off where swimmers are using them.

Dr. C. and his young family all use the Tizo sunscreens as it has an ability to protect against UV-C rays as well.

There was a famous lawsuit against a company making chemical sunscreens. A family vacationing in Florida bought their product, used it scrupulously according to directions and ended up in the hospital with bad sunburns. This suit led the FDA to re-look at sunscreens and the instability of the chemical ones and, as a result, they now require expiration dates on the packaging. So caveat emptor. The sun exposure today is harsher than what our parents grew up with. And if you do nonetheless get a bad sunburn, emu oil works quickly to help limit the damage.

Jump to this post

More on oxybenzone. Note the new laws in Key West and Hawaii with more to follow.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oxybenzone-in-sunscreen-what-experts-think-of-its-effects-on-coral-reefs

REPLY
usabear13 | @usabear13 | Sep 18, 2023

I am using sp 50 but the sun and heat still gets to me. Looking for any ideas from other transplant patients

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Sep 18, 2023
In reply to @usabear13 "I am using sp 50 but the sun and heat still gets to me. Looking for..." + (show)
@usabear13

I am using sp 50 but the sun and heat still gets to me. Looking for any ideas from other transplant patients

Jump to this post

Hi, @usabear13. I want to welcome you to Connect. My liver/kidney transplant was in 2009, and sun protection is something that is/was stressed to me by my transplant team. So, i am a fervant user of sun protection and I like to keep it simple by using sunscreen and protective clothing. It has become my normal routine to wear a sun protective (15/30) facial moisturizer all year long even though I live in Kentucky and not near the beach.
As for the heat - I have always been a "sweat"er. I get it from my dad's side of family. Since my transplant I am more aware of how quiskly I break out in a sweat when outside and active. I rely on long sleeve shirts that are breathable when outside and unable to avoid direct sun, and i choose a hat instead of my preferred visor. I think that my genes and my immunosuppressive medicines make me sweat more than most people, I have found that the ZNO moisture wicking t-shirts from Coolibar do well to keep me comfortable when working in the yard, walking, or hiking.

There might be some additional information in this discussion:
- Anyone have tips on sun protection?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-tips-on-sun-protection/
.
.

Usabear13, I'm not sure that I was able to address your sun/heat issues, so perhaps you would add some more information so that I might be able to connect you with other members. How long ago was your transplant? What are some of the issues that you are having with sun and heat? Have you talked with your transplant team about this?

REPLY
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