[dianaiad]

Revlimid - sun sensitivity / rash

by dianaiad on Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:44 pm

I was stupid on Saturday.

OK, not 'stupid,' precisely, but ... OK, I was stupid.

I went to Disneyland with three of my kids. That wasn't the stupid thing. I had a blast! I tried to be careful; wore long pants and socks, long sleeved shirt and a big floppy hat ... and sunscreen. However, I guess I was a little stupid about the sunscreen, because, well ...

I now have one whale of a nasty rash everywhere the sun actually reached. It's driving me nuts; read and itchy, like poison ivy on steroids.

Now I've always burned at a hot look; all the disadvantages of being a redhead are mine! However, I've never had a reaction like this before. No sunburn, just this rash.

The thing is, it was the last day of my "off'" week for Revlimid; I hadn't taken any for seven days. I took it Sunday morning and the rash showed up that night. It's now Monday evening and the rash is getting worse ... and it is only where the sun got me, around my neck area.

If any of you have dealt with this, how did you deal with this?

'scuse me while I ... darn it ... don't scratch ...

[NStewart]

Re: Revlimid - sun sensitivity / rash

by NStewart on Wed Oct 28, 2015 12:44 pm

Oooooohhhh, the sun rash! I had problems with this my whole first year post transplant. My doctor didn't believe me when I told him that I got sunburned through the windshield of my car in February. But, it was obvious that the burn and rash were from the sun because I had pale marks where the arms of my glasses cover my face. I took Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and used a steroid ointment on the burn / rash area with my doctor's blessing. Make sure you let your oncologist know about the burn / rash so that he can approve whatever you use.

I'm not a red head, but have extremely fair skin. I can burn through my clothes if the sun is strong enough. So, I have to put sunscreen on everywhere. I'm glad that you had fun while you were at Disneyland and weren't doing something that wasn't fun that earned you this problem.

I hope the itching stops soon,
Nancy in Phila

[Shrink75]

Re: Revlimid - sun sensitivity / rash

by Shrink75 on Wed Oct 28, 2015 5:26 pm

Had a similar experience on vacation in Europe. A bought a local topical cream made with chamomile to ease the itching that worked very well.

Came home and bought a wardrobe of sun shirts and hats with built in SPF that I now wear, in addition to sun lotion, whenever I go out. No problem since.

[Salzmav]

Re: Revlimid - sun sensitivity / rash

by Salzmav on Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:21 pm

Urticaria - it's a histamine reaction due to the photosensitivity of your skin because of the drugs you are on. Go to your pharmacist and get an antihistamine. That will give some relief. Keep the area cool, use wet tea-towels. And use 50 plus sunscreen on any exposed areas.

Drives you nuts, but it will clear up.

This condition is also know as 'sun hives'.

[Liz Gregory]

Re: Revlimid - sun sensitivity / rash

by Liz Gregory on Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:57 am

I had a super itchy rash in my first outing after my SCT. It was along my hairline, and around and in my ears. It was absolutely the itchiest thing I ever experienced. My oncologist referred me immediately to a dermatologist who prescribed 3 different creams. It didn't take long to calm down.

[dianaiad]

Re: Revlimid - sun sensitivity / rash

by dianaiad on Thu Oct 29, 2015 5:35 pm

Thank you everybody!

I'm trying the "extra strength Benadryl" diphenhydramine hydrochloride gell. I smell like camphor, but hey, I don't ITCH!

(grin)

Some of the side effects of the stuff we take are just plain....silly embarrassing. I smell like my kids did when I smeared sun burn lotion all over them as I was lecturing them on going out without the proper sunscreen.

Good thing my kids don't live with me. Boy, would I get the "Karma lecture."