posted
Having been in bed much of last week due to flare and herx, I was thrilled to have sun and warmth yesterday.
Put on SPF 50 sunblock, pulled my lounger into the shade and enjoyed reading Life After Life outside for about an hour in the late afternoon yesterday.
Nothing seemed out of sorts until about three hours after I came in, for my body has always reacted hours later--and I usually don't do anything but put on a 15-30 sunscreen.
Yikes! My shoulders, chest, and arms are a bit red, but my right wrist and hand are bright red and achy like a sunburn but more intense.
How can I first deal with healing this now? I've put on aloe and tea compress (wet black tea bag, grandma's solution).
Next, can I go out and be in the backyard or garden or be in the shade at all?
-------------------- 'Hope' is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul-- Emily Dickinson Posts: 160 | From Indiana | Registered: Nov 2012
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posted
You have to be VERY CAREFUL!!! Some people cannot tolerate even being outside in the shade. You will find out what you are able to handle.
For now, try vinegar. It's very soothing.
I sure hope the pain eases SOON!!!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
An anesthetic applied to the skin may help reduce the pain.
Solarcaine is one brand, I'm sure there are others too.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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TF
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posted
If you are on doxy, it sounds like you have the doxy burn. It is a chemical burn. It seems to affect the hands the most. The worst spots may develop tiny bumps by tomorrow.
It can feel like a blowtorch on the hands and fingers. I found nothing to help it, not even narcotic pain killers. I considered going to the ER, it was so bad. No sleep the first night.
Cold water was unbearable and hot water is totally out of the question. I could only stand tepid water on the hands.
After this burn, I could not even sit under my skylight and eat my breakfast. Sun coming through a window hurt it. I also could not stand even 5 seconds of sun if I went outside to get the mail. I had to RUN out and back like mad.
This is not a sunburn. So, I would say don't try going out anymore until you are off the doxy for about a week. Most lyme doctors stop prescribing the doxy once warm weather comes because the burn is so nasty.
It took at least 2 weeks before I could stand even 5 seconds of sun on my hands. It was horrible!
You will have to wear gloves while driving also.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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beaches
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posted
Wow Dove and TF. I thought if you applied high SPF and wore long sleeves, you'd be safe, but apparently not!
DD was on doxy quite awhile ago, but it was during the cooler months so fortunately I don't have experience with this.
Hope you feel better soon.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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canbravelyme
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For your viewing pleasure, following is a photo of a sun blister on my toe, caused by doxy...stay out of the sun...
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Sammi
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I also could not tolerate being outside when I took Doxy. Even if I wore long sleeves, just feeling the sun coming through the sleeves made me feel like I was burning from the inside out.
My knuckles got severely burned from the sun coming into the car when I was driving. It is crazy.
Canbrave, ouch! That looks like a very painful blister.
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canbravelyme
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It was crazy! There were a few more, but that one was the worst! I wonder as well, whether I am now more susceptible to skin cancer in the areas that blistered...
Oh and BTW, that took a lot less sun than one would imagine...
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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beaches
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posted
Canbravelyme, OUCH! Looks like there are red areas on the other toes as well. But at least you had a nice pedicure before you got that nasty blister
So word to the wise, don't fool around with any sun exposure when taking doxy!
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Anybody want to see MY pretty toes?? They aren't painted though.. so maybe kinda boring.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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canbravelyme
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I _KNEW_ that photo would come in handy!
Beaches, you're absolutely right! I was very glad to have had that pedicure, which at least served as a distraction from the gore that ensued...
Once you have the burn, you're really in trouble; I had to wear completely closed shoes afterward; I was in pain in about 5sec from the sun wearing sandals with sunscreen _and_ socks on...Sorry to say, TF isn't exaggerating about having to avoid the skylight...
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Canbrave, I feel your pain. And you're right, I wasn't out long, in the sun, or during peak hours.
You guys are right. It's mainly on my right hand, the knuckles especially, and it looks and feels like my hand is inside a 400 oven. Guess I'm glad that my left hand was holding my Nook most of the time, so only my thumb and that knuckle are as tender on my left hand. 2 Woke up with pain last night several times. Ice, aloe, solarcain, and cool washcloth don't really take the edge off.
Anyone know how long this lasts (this "sunburn")?
And, here's my fear, we are to go to Orlando for a week in early July for a family vacation. What do you all suggest? Ask to take a respite from the doxy for a few weeks then?
TF,, I'm definitely asking my LLMD about doxy and the summer months when I seehim on Friday.
Thanks guys. So far I've learned not to have a sip of alcohol with Flagyl and to stay out of the sun with doxy. Things I never wished to have to learn, but I'm glad to have found out!
-------------------- 'Hope' is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul-- Emily Dickinson Posts: 160 | From Indiana | Registered: Nov 2012
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Kudzuslipper
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Oh my canbravelyme! I've had the red rash part, but never the blister. No one ever told me about doxy and the sun until Lyme.
Sorry Dove. I just learned something too. I thought sunscreen would work too. My llmd switched me to Zythro a few weeks before I went Fla. and for the summer.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
Lymetu, you can show your toes to us if you want. It can be a "toes-t" to all our health. Sorry, couldn't resist!
-------------------- 'Hope' is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul-- Emily Dickinson Posts: 160 | From Indiana | Registered: Nov 2012
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canbravelyme
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Oh, go on, Tu -- post a pic!
Dove -- I would definitely see whether an alternative to doxy in the summer is possible; esp. your Florida vacation. I would also look into how many days you should be off of it _prior_ to sun exposure...
If you _have_ to be on it, be sure to cover up!
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I'm such a tease! I'm too lazy to post a pic!!
I just wanted to be reassured that you wanted to see my tutu tootsies.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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canbravelyme
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-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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beaches
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posted
Dove, based on the above accounts, I would definitely plan to be off doxy while in Orlando in the summer.
And speaking of Orlando in the summer, it is god-awful hot and humid down there!
We went to Orlando in the summer years back. Hubby declared that this would never happen again.
Here are a couple of strategies:
--Make sure you have a frig/freezer in your room
--Better yet, rent a house nearby (much more economical
--Have washclothes, label them with everyone's name with a sharpie, rinse them and freeze them
--Freeze water bottles
--Have backpacks for everyone and pack up the frozen washclothes, frozen water bottles and snacks for everyone
--and don't forget to make your meal reservations! Plan out ahead what days you'll be at the various parks and make B L D reservations accordingly. Better to have them and have to cancel, as opposed to not having them and scrambling trying to find a place for a family meal
Have fun!
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Beaches, with our daughter who is 17, we figure this may be one of our last family vacations, and I just can't bear the thought of my health ruining it. I know I may not be able to do too much, but on a day when I'm able to, I sure don't want her to worry.
I've often compared myself to a cat, for I love, love, love being outside, reading or gardening, walking or napping in the sun. Now, just being able to walk out to the chair and relaxing under the trees may not be possible for awhile.
Love the idea of freezing the water bottles before we head out, if we can. My hubby insists on taking the wheelchair "just in case". Never thought I'd need something like that, but I'm thinking he really does have my best interest in mind.
If my POTS acts up, or if my vertigo flares and my cane isn't enough, the wheelchair can help me not to completely spoil a day while there.
The new Beauty &the Beast castle is where I'd love to eat dinner, but the reservations were all taken back in January. We may try to do lunch there, but they don't take lunch reservations. It does give me something to look forward to.
-------------------- 'Hope' is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul-- Emily Dickinson Posts: 160 | From Indiana | Registered: Nov 2012
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Rumigirl
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Wow, yes, ask your dr if he can't put you on something else now that the warm weather has started. As it is, you'll have to stay inside for a few weeks until this subsides : -(
I always made sure that I was off doxy at least in time for Memorial Day (making sure to allow 10-14 days off it before then).
When I have had to be on doxy in those months, I lived like a mole. I didn't go out until almost dusk, stayed in the shade, covered up completely, wore a hat, etc. That's miserable! OUr lives are hard enough without that.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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Hi there. I have a semi-related question for everyone -- what about sauna while on Doxy? Will it cause a burn as well? I want to detox with the sauna but am afraid of a Doxy reaction.
Thank you, Susan H.
Posts: 83 | From Sarasota, Fla | Registered: Apr 2013
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posted
Thank you, Lymetutu. I got some driving gloves today. Oh, and some harley boots. ha! These are my tick kickers!
Posts: 83 | From Sarasota, Fla | Registered: Apr 2013
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randibear
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posted
My one doctor went out and got 3rd degree burns cause he stayed out too long. It actually scarred his hands and arms.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Susan, I go to do an infra red sauna once or twice a week. I did avoid it for three to four days due to the pain of the burns, but it did not feel anything unusual when I did go back.
The infra red I go to is at 140-142 degrees. This is the infra red sauna, not the old steam type.
The infra red seems to help my joints, my spine (spinal stenosis and herniations), and my overall pain level.
Good luck. Oh, and by wearing a hat or scarf and my arthritis gloves, I have gone out in the shade with our dogs in the backyard for 10-20 minutes recently without adverse impact.
-------------------- 'Hope' is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul-- Emily Dickinson Posts: 160 | From Indiana | Registered: Nov 2012
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posted
Susan, I go to do an infra red sauna once or twice a week. I did avoid it for three to four days due to the pain of the burns, but it did not feel anything unusual when I did go back.
The infra red I go to is at 140-142 degrees. This is the infra red sauna, not the old steam type.
The infra red seems to help my joints, my spine (spinal stenosis and herniations), and my overall pain level.
Good luck. Oh, and by wearing a hat or scarf and my arthritis gloves, I have gone out in the shade with our dogs in the backyard for 10-20 minutes recently without adverse impact.
-------------------- 'Hope' is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul-- Emily Dickinson Posts: 160 | From Indiana | Registered: Nov 2012
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Thank you for the tip. I have been using the infra red with much success!
Even when I travel, I look one up in town and pay the 30-min fee. No probs at all with skin and joints feel wonderful.
I even notice a mild herx each time, pinching and jabbing at my skin while the run away.
That is one of my favorite Dickinson quotes. I love her!
Good luck to you, too.
Susan H
Posts: 83 | From Sarasota, Fla | Registered: Apr 2013
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Catgirl
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posted
I don't understand why docs prescribe doxy in the summertime. That said, I have some family members who were on it and the sun didn't even affect them. They surfed all day. They just got the normal tan.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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I'm on Doxy - I work outside all weekend. I have not burned at all, no sunscreen, no covering of clothes. I have a great tan on arms legs, and shoulders.
I think it may depend on your skin type, your normal sun dosages, etc. Maybe I'm just a very lucky one.
It did seem to make me tan quicker and nicely though . . .
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canbravelyme
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Do me a favour and keep an eye on it, jjourneys, OK?
Glad so far it's only giving you a tan; you might ask your LLMD about it...??
Best,
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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I see LLMD next week - I will ask him about it. Going on a cruise in Sept so really want to be careful then! Lots of beach time - much needed!!
Posts: 250 | From East Coast | Registered: Jan 2013
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linky123
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The llmd we went to down here(we live in the south) only prescribes minocycline in the summer.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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