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Hydroxyurea and Sun Exposure

Posted by johnnychips @johnnychips, Apr 28 1:28pm

I recently started taking Hydroxyurea (for ET) with seemingly minimal side effects if any. However, I've been reading about having to avoid the sun rays when taking the drug because of potential photosensitivity, rashes, sunburn and even skin cancer. I love the sun and planning on a getaway to the Caribbean armed with SPF 30 sunscreen. How paranoid should I be in spending time in the sun?

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irishnanny3 | @irishnanny3 | 1 day ago
In reply to @irishnanny3 "@1995victoria Great advice. I’ve been on hydroxyurea since 2018 and have developed multiple skin cancers, several..." + (show)
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@1995victoria
Great advice. I’ve been on hydroxyurea since 2018
and have developed multiple skin cancers, several requiring MOHS
surgery. I avoid the sun, always wear spf 50 and
add a hat if I’m outdoors.
My dr doesn’t want to switch me to another @ since this one works so well to control my PV
I wish there was a bed to prevent skin cancers!

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@irishnanny3
Sure everyone knows I meant “med”😂

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janemc | @janemc | 13 hours ago
In reply to @irishnanny3 "@irishnanny3 Sure everyone knows I meant “med”😂" + (show)
Profile picture for irishnanny3 @irishnanny3

@irishnanny3
Sure everyone knows I meant “med”😂

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@irishnanny3

I loved your skin-cancer-preventing bed concept!

Much better than a tanning bed!!

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garyr443 | @garyr443 | 50 minutes ago

The worst side effect I have experienced with Hydroxyurea is the destruction of some of my red blood cells, leading to a low red cell count. Anyone else have this effect?

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garyr443 | @garyr443 | 33 minutes ago
In reply to @jodyjazz "@garyr443 Well this is another thing you can thank HU for, besides keeping your platelets lower...." + (show)
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@garyr443
Well this is another thing you can thank HU for, besides keeping your platelets lower.
I was born and raised in FL and got taken to the beach as cure for colds as a child. Now at this age, I prob shouldn't be out in the sun anyway. So take care of yourself its serious business.

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@jodyjazz Have you seen anything about using ginger to control platelet count? I'm especially interested in using ginger oil on my face to both protect from the sun and to remove rashes.

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