Just asking those who are more advanced in their treatment, does the horrible sun intolerance get better? and why is it that I can't stand being under the sun for more than 10 minutes? I know bb does not like heat but here is my question: most of us had been infected years before the neuro symptoms appeared, in the meantime, we could stay in the sun much longer, so what is the difference now? is it that the bb decided not to stand it anymore? or was it in a cystic form?...
Posted by apljack (Member # 14233) on :
I only had this when I was on Doxy.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Some abx, like doxy, cause this and it is dangerous to be in the sun.
Posted by Shahbah (Member # 28735) on :
But I'm not on doxy, i know it causes sun sensitivity, but mine is lyme related...
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Yes, you really don't want a medication burn. It is a real torture--much worse than sunburn.
What meds are you on?
Check to see if any of them cause sun sensitivity. If they do, you must really, really avoid the sun, even while driving. You have to wear gloves to protect your hands, etc. You can get burned through the windshield and windows of the car, and many have.
Posted by Shahbah (Member # 28735) on :
Again, I really don't think it's from medication (I am on A-bart, amix and rifampin) but my sun intolerance started way beforee i was on medication... Am I the only one complaining about this? Maybe it's not from lyme then?...
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- � Lyme and other tick-borne infections can cause sun reactions, even when not on medicine.
� Many meds can cause or increase sun reactions.
� You may need to change your soaps or other lotions, etc. You may need to go without any lotions.
I can't tolerate any lotions on my skin at all. They all create a science project for my skin if I get near the sun. Many lotions, and especially sun screens, are actually very toxic chemical mixtures. Most contain petroleum products. Go to the website for "Rachel's Friends" to find safe products.
� A stressed liver (& kidneys, gallbladder, lungs) can stress the skin in many ways. If those organs of detoxification are overwhelmed, that shows up in the skin as the skin is also a important organ of detoxification and can be overwhelmed and "erupt" so to speak.
� Porphyria ? Sun reactions can occur in all but two kinds of porphyria.
PORPHYRIA -
Posted by KaitlinB (Member # 11718) on :
I have the same reaction to being in the sun as you, Shahbah.
I seem to be getting a bit more tolerant of the sun the longer I am on treatment, but I still can't stay out in the sun very long.
I get very tired and irritable the warmer I get and feel an irresistable need to get out of the sun.
I think it is because bb does not like high temperatures. Just my experience, but I do think it's a fairly common reaction in those with Lyme.
Posted by garunner (Member # 19474) on :
Shahbah, I have been intolerant to sunlight (as well as heat) since the beginning of my illness. It took two years to get a diagnosis, so definitely not a reaction to any sort of meds. WIsh I could say it was getting better....many of my symptoms are gone, but I can't seem to shake the intolerance to sun.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Heat is another matter altogether. I was only thinking about sunLIGHT.
Many lyme patients have trouble tolerating temps in either direction, hot or cold. -
Posted by Getbetter (Member # 47692) on :
I have this increasing sun sensitivity myself now. Anyone make any progress with this?
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
For me, not. It got worse.
I learned that the sun activates viruses too. I would get a relapse when I went out the sun.
Stopped going out and doing better.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I think doxyc. is not the only abx to cause sun trouble for the skin. But, aside from that . . . the liver is so stressed with lyme, TBD, treatment that the skin can be very challenged. That, alone, can be tricky. The liver is very much involved with our skin. A stressed liver is nearly always going to show up in the skin, somehow.
There are a couple kinds of porphyria that make sun exposure really rough.
Porphyria (over 11 different kinds) can be dormant for years / decades. Infection can stir this up. Mostly, it's genetic / inherited.
As many with lyme have liver issues and, like those on the Cpn protocol, some may experience a sort of "secondary porphyria" that could manifest in various ways.
I just don't have the capacity to put my links here about that I can't find them - my files are scrambled and I'm just worn out. However, that key word in the search feature will bring you to some good links. -
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
I was also LIGHT INTOLERANT and the sunLIGHT made me even throw up.
For me babesia caused me that for sure. BUt I don't know which other infections can cause that.
I hated sunlight, i was NOT on Doxy, I felt sick with sunlight.
Lyme treatment solved it for good!!!
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
HHV6 and other viruses cause sun sensitivity. The sun reactivates the virus and you can have a relapse.
A lot of us have stuff going on other than Lyme like Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus.
Posted by bluelyme (Member # 47170) on :
I think keebler,brussels and judie are spot on...i have a purple lace like pattern on my arms .i know i have ebv ,cmv ,and hh6 ...cpn and others ...i almost passed out at park but it was nice to get out...i dont want to become a vampire can you treat porphia? That website said phlebotomy..?should i get leeches.. ha
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
EWG's 2015 Guide to Safe Sunscreens -
Posted by marie (Member # 3980) on :
I had problems with sunlight 6years after I was bit and it has continued. It is not as bad as it used to be. I have panic with bright sunlight or sunlight coming through windows.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Blue, just continue treating. The more my health improved, the sensitivity got better, till it disappeared for good.
Sometimes, when I catch something (after lyme), I can feel the sunlight is affecting me. It's always when I get some bugs, never when I feel free from infection.
When I am not fighting any clear infection, I never have that.
Just keep treating. One thing that helped me initially (when my lyme was very bad) were microcurrents with rife frequencies. BUt I guess, just because the pathogens got less strong.
Posted by TX Lyme Mom (Member # 3162) on :
GetBetter, Take a look at this information on sensitivity to sunlight and to other sources of bright light (such as on-coming headlights when driving at night and/or indoor fluorescent lights):
I'm almost hesitant to post these two links because the treatment protocols associated with them have become very controversial among LLMDs because too many of their Lyme patients have had such an extremely difficult time. (Nevertheless, there are several success stories posted on their websites from Lyme patients who have achieved a sustained remission by following the protocol.)