This is topic What exactly is the reaction you get from Doxy and sun exposure? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/109052

Posted by jenniferk32 (Member # 30718) on :
 
I was on a 12 hour drive the day before yesterday as the passenger with the sun obviously coming in through the window onto my arm. I wore SPF 65 sunscreen, and I also tried to keep that arm covered with this light overcoat thingy (I forgot what it's called!!! Stupid lyme!). But I didn't have the whole thing on because it was hot. So it slipped off a few times while I was dozing off.

Also, it's a little sheer and I wonder if the sun got through. I have a red, patchy, very bumpy rash in several places on that arm. Could it be from the sun?

If it is, what will it do? Will it just go away with no problems or can it be more serious than that?
 
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
 
You can get a severe burn in minutes, even when wearing sunscreen, when taking Doxy.

When I took Doxy, I had to wear gloves while driving even in the summer. The sun coming through the car window severely burned my knuckles in minutes! The heat of the sun hitting my skin (even with sunscreen on) made it feel like it was burning from the inside out.

Be extremely cautious with any sun exposure while taking Doxy. You may want to ask your doctor if you can switch drugs for the summer, or try Minocycline.

I do not have any problems from the sun with Minocycline, and it is in the same family as Doxy. If you do switch to Minocycline, still take precautions especially until you know how it affects you.
 
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
 
If it is from the doxy, you will have numb, tingly feelings and terrible burning pain on the spots. The pain can become unbearable and not even narcotic pain killers will do anything to help relieve it.

It felt to me like someone had a blowtorch to my hands. I was in agony.

The pain and tingling will get bad if you put your arm under hot or cold water. If it is the doxy burn, you can only stand tepid water on it.

You can get little bumps (like blisters) on the spots that have the doxy burn also.

And, if it is the doxy burn, any little bit of exposure to the sun will set of the pain anew. Even through a skylight or window.

So, if you aren't suffering with these symptoms, you could just be having a reaction to the sunscreen or something else.

It can take up to a month for the doxy burn to go away. The pain is the bad thing, and the pain that is set off by the sun once you get the burn. It really restricted my activities.

But there are no other problems from the doxy burn aside from the terrible pain it causes.
 
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
 
And, sunscreen will not stop the doxy burn.

It is a chemical burn brought on by the sun. So, sunscreen is not the answer. You have to cover the skin so the sun doesn't get on it.
 
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
 
I've had the tingly feeling, just recently, it was super weird.

I have never had any burn reaction though. I used to take tetrecycline for acne and spent tons of time in the sun and never had any problems. Just be careful and see how you react.
 
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
 
It really is horrible. I couldn't even stand near a window without burning.
 
Posted by jenniferk32 (Member # 30718) on :
 
TF- that's exactly how it feels and looks. But the pain is not as bad as you're describing. But I have a very high tolerance to pain. Glad to know it will go away. Maybe I'll ask the doc for monocycline when I see him again. It sucks having to stay out of the sun in summer.
 
Posted by t9im (Member # 25489) on :
 
amoxicylin is prescribed over doxy in the summer but it has a shorter half life and is not as strong.

doxy is good in case you have erlichilosis.
 
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
 
I have been on Doxy for 2 years straight and the few times I have been to the beach I wore lots of sunscreen, long sleeves and a big hat, and had no problem. Is it just some ppl that are sun sensitive?
 
Posted by Roger1700 (Member # 29719) on :
 
Watch out for your lips if in the sun too... was covered everywhere else, didn't even think of around my lips... terrible burn...
 
Posted by melindacf (Member # 5412) on :
 
that's exactly what happened to me on doxy the 1st time I took it. It doesn't do that now.

I was traveling in the car and had my L arm exposed to the sun through the window. That evening a bright red rash broke out that was very painful and itchy on L arm and hand.

It took several days for it to get better and a week or 2 for it to go away. I had to cover up with something every time after that.

LLMD took me off doxy then, then a few months later put me back on it, even though I protested. However, this last time I've been on it for at least a year, maybe longer and no rashes.
 


Powered by UBB.classic™ 6.7.3