I've worn sunscreen on my face religiously every day since I've been about 13. I'm very fair skinned. I have never had any sunspots on my face until about a month ago and then all of the sudden several popped up. I've been on doxy for a while.
My LLMD said sunscreen doesn't help. What do I do to save my face from sun damage? Or is it one of the necessary evils while undergoing treatment?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Most LLMD's switch their patients to another abx during the summer months.
Posted by ohioperson22 (Member # 47837) on :
I'm fairskinned and of Irish descent (partially), and I'm on Doxy.
It's pretty clear for me: If I don't wear sunscreen, I'm in for a burn. If I wear SPF 70 I'm fine.
I recommend SPF-70 or SPF-100.
The best suscreen is actually the physical barrier kind, containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
There's an uber-expensive one that claims to be invisible zinc that isn't quite as noticable as the old white paste one would put on.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
The doxy burn is a chemical burn. It is not a sunburn. It most often occurs on the hands.
When I got it, it was on my hands, especially fingers. It was unbelievable--like a blowtorch was on them. Narcotic painkillers did nothing for this invisible burn.
I contemplated going to the ER. I could not sleep at all due to the pain.
After a few days, tiny blisters appeared on the fingers. It took about 2 months before I could stand even 30 seconds of sun on those hands. I could not bear the pain of running out to the mailbox, grabbing the mail, and running back in!
I could not even stand to sit under our skylight and eat breakfast. It hurt the hands too much.
Warm water was unbearable as was cold water. This burn is unbelievable. Just want you to know what you are in for.
Those who must take doxy during the summer must stay totally out of the sun. Wear light cotton gloves when driving as the chemical reaction can occur through the windshield. If you go in the sun, wear long-sleeved tops. They sell special clothing for this. It is very expensive. I have heard that you can even get this burn if you stay in the shade outdoors.
Sunscreen will NOT stop this chemical burn.
Everyone is different. So, some folks may not get this burn. However, those of us who are fair seem to be particularly prone to it. So, watch out! Beware the dreaded doxy burn.
Posted by ohioperson22 (Member # 47837) on :
Physical sunblocks (zinc and titanium oxides) do just that; block the UV light from reaching the skin.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I understand as I had to wear zinc oxide all the time until I stopped going in the sun in my 20s. It was the only way I could keep from getting sun poisoning on my face.
I am saying that I do NOT believe this will stop this chemical burn that occurs with doxy. This is NOT a regular sunburn. It surely is not worth it to do an experiment to see.
Since the chemical burn happens most often on the hands, what are you going to do? cover your hands with zinc oxide?
From what I have read, the mechanism by which doxy causes this burn is not well understood. So, it is not safe to treat your body the way you do to prevent a regular sunburn.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
Wow. Thanks for the info. I live where the sun is super intense and it is very hot. How much less effective is mino than doxy? My LLMD probably forgot where I live when I asked him about doxy vs mino.
What are the clothes called that help protect you from the sun? Thank you.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
You will have to search the Internet for the clothes. Here is one catalog I found. $30 for hand covers (they are not gloves):
There are similar issues with sun and mino. Cover up! Big hat, etc.
The summer I was on mino, I wasn't careful enough, apparently. I got a very odd orangey color "suntan." Not painful but very different from a normal tan and took a good while to fade.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
So switching to mino wouldn't help the sun issue?
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
I agree with TF. I have used zinc oxide for years because I am so fair skinned.
I swear by it......BUT I got a Doxy burn on my hands while driving and I had zinc oxide on.
It is a chemical burn and it's nothing like you've ever felt before (hopefully).
Painful blisters that medication doesn't help. Try to keep covered as much as possible if you have to stay on Doxy.
That being said.....I made it through several summers on Doxy and even a couple of beach trips and did okay.
Everyone responds different, but just be super aware.
Posted by Winter Park (Member # 41655) on :
Minocycline is slightly more effective in my experience than Doxy. I switched from Doxy when the price skyrocketed years ago and continued taking Minocycline after I realized it resulted in better inflammation/herx. Tradeoff is tinnitus which isn't so bad for me.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I will have to be on doxy this summer, so I have to deal with it, too. I, also, have very fair skin, and already had 12 precancerous lesions on my face & 2 cancerous ones that took 2 painful years to get rid of (all from horrible sunburns growing up).
When I took doxy one summer before, I lived like a mole.
So to try to be able to go out a little, I guess: long sleeves, a big hat, gloves, stay in the shade, barrier type sunscreen on face and neck, long pants, no sandals.
But is that enough to not get it where you only have sunscreen??
I love to swim, but that surely must be out (outside that is). Even with the SPF shirts and gloves, zinc oxide type sunscreen on face and neck may not be enough.
I DO NOT want to get the horrible burn!! I already have horrific burning pain from CRPS, so no, no, no to the skin burn.
Mino is supposed to be better than doxy for this, but probably not better enough. I need the doxy anyway (and can't tolerate mino). Sigh.
MominTexas, how did you survive beach trips with doxy? Stay covered up under the umbrella with zinc oxide on anywhere exposed? It's so bright and reflective at the beach! Much as I love it, I'm scared of it now even without doxy!
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
I just got some sun protective gear online. There are all sorts of options. For example, this bandana/face shield from REI:
There are also cute spf hats in Amazon. Just make sure to read the fine print about amount of spf protection and sun permeability.
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Rumigirl, I walked the beach in the very early morning and in the evenings.
I stayed inside during the peak hours and the times I was out, yes, you are correct!
Big umbrella, big hat, rash guard long sleeve shirt, shorts, zinc oxide and Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple over the zinc.
It left my skin white, but oh well.....totally worth looking funny. I also was VERY careful to keep my feet covered too.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Thank you me & momintexas.
Aside from going out of the city to a lake or whatever, or even a park in the city, I have to go to a lot of medical appointments in the city, and can't stay inside all the time. Although I rarely go out aside from
medical appointments : - ( It's certainly not because that's what I want! Just don't have the capability much.
But the medical appointments are in the daytime. And they do involve walking, ie, being in the light, even if I try to stay in the shade. I would wear long pants, no sandals, long sleeves, big hat, gloves,
high SPF sunscreen on my face and neck. But the zinc oxide would look horrible in a city. Just trying to figure this out, since my skin is extremely fair and sunburn prone. I know this is not a regular sunburn.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
I hear you. I'm going through the same thing right now. I'm telling myself to have a sense of humor with my upcoming new fashion sense and that it could be worse, but nontheless, it will put me out of my comfort zone.
I just ordered this hat from Amazon the other day:
You could always pretend like you're famous and have someone hold a parasol for you. Maybe entice another friend to pretend like he or she is a photographer? Or, if you really wanna go all out, maybe you could even have another few friends tag along like a fan following.
I'm in the same boat. If I have a stroke of brilliance, I will share the idea(s) with you. Take Care
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Rumigirl, Ocean Potion Makes a Clear Zinc Oxide that works VERY well.
It does dry clear unless you put a very heavy layer on, then it can leave a white haze. (when I was on beach)
I use it on my face daily - and it stays clear.
Oh, bless your heart, momintexas! Thank you. So, I guess it helps with the doxy issue, in spite of people saying that suncreen doesn't help with this----along with all the other precautions, of course.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
me, you're brave with the hat. I bet you'll look cute in it, too! The SunPrecautions stuff looks great, albeit expensive.
I have a great big hat, but I'm not sure if it's as sun-proof as I need for doxy in the summer in the daytime. I'll have to look with a light bulb to see how much it filters out light.
Well, I guess it will be an "interesting" summer (that's putting it mildly, all given).
Posted by paleogal (Member # 45991) on :
I love me my Tilley hat! Wide-brimmed, but low glare on the brim because it's darker on the underside:
And it has a chin band/under ponytail band for wind. It doesn't budge!
(edited: Tilley hats can often be found on sale - the price tag for a new one is really steep! Sorry if that offputs anyone. They're great hats and Tilley will replace them for free if they ever wear out or for half off if you lose it.)
me - I also had sunspots suddenly appear earlier this year (before on doxy), all over my face, upper chest, and arms. I assumed it was something about liver function, but blood tests were OK and my LLMD didn't seem worried, so I tried not to let it bother me. If anyone figures out rapidly appearing sunspots, please let me know too!
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
Wow, so I was right. The hot pink hat looks adorable *on the model.* Haha. Oh, goodness. Sense of humor required for me. Big time.
I have a very, very small head (as in I have to get kid glasses to fit my face at times), so I look like I'm playing a bad version of dress up. If this were my biggest problem, I'd be golden! I need to think of witty, yet kind remarks when people stare at me. Or have some positive phrase to say to myself.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
Just got back from Walgreens. I found Walgreens brand sunscreen spf 50 with clear zinc oxide.
However, I've read MIXED reports on whether zinc oxide clogs pores or not.
Although the brand said "non-greasy" it did not say non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).
Does anyone know whether or not zinc oxide clogs pores or not?
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
quote:Originally posted by me: Just got back from Walgreens. I found Walgreens brand sunscreen spf 50 with clear zinc oxide.
However, I've read MIXED reports on whether zinc oxide clogs pores or not.
Although the brand said "non-greasy" it did not say non-comedogenic (won't clog pores).
Does anyone know whether or not zinc oxide clogs pores or not?
Supposedly not, according to the EWG sunscreen report. But the quality & how it's made, & whether it has adequate UVA protection varies a lot. I'd check to make sure it has adequate UVA
protection, which many do not. Those are not the burning rays, but they can do a lot of damage. The EWG report, which is long, is good. Plus, you can order the report that speaks about the different brands, etc.
Then there is the issue that sunscreen supposedly doesn't help with doxy, although I imagine it helps on top of the barrier methods (hat, gloves, long sleeves, pants, covered shoes). Hot in the summer! Oh, well.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
CeraVe has an invisible zinc (w/ titanium dioxide) SPF 50 face lotion. My dermatologist just recently gave me samples of it. I really like it as I'm blond/ super fair skinned.
The CeraVe baby is my favorite body lotion too. You can find this brand anywhere or on Amazon. It is pretty cheap.
I also like Lands End long sleeve rash guard tees. They protect, look good, wash, and wear well. They are SPF 50 (if I remember correctly). I usually buy them off season but if you need them, they are a great option.
I also have a Scala sun block hat. Mine is chocolate brown and super cute. I found it at TJMax for a couple bucks. They vary in price online. Much cheaper than other brands I had previously seen.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
I felt very uncomfortable in the hats, so I got this Spf parasol on Amazon and have felt more comfortable using it. In case anyone would like to try out an inexpensive parasol: