posted
Hi guys, haven't been on much recently which is a good sign I guess. But now I have a problem.
Spent the weekend inside and out. While outside I made it a point to stay covered up as much as possible in spite of the warm weather. And slathered my face with about three different kinds of sun screens. Last night I broke out in a hive like rash on my face and in a v pattern on my neck.The itching was terrible. I immediately suspected a reaction to one of the screens I used so I rushed in and washed my face with cool soapy water, which helped alleviate some of the discomfort. Took three aspirin for inflammation and a benedryl for the itching. In about 45 minutes, the symptoms went away (I wish the blotchy skin had) and returned once the benedryl and asa wore off.
I'm suspecting Photodermatitis possibly from a combination of the doxy and the sun screen, or from something in the sunsceen itself.
I'm still on Doxy, which is why I am being careful in the sunlight-hat, gloves, long sleeves you name it, I'm wearing it, but this has me stumped.
Anybody else have this reaction? Did you find it was to the sun, sunscreen the doxy or a combination of the above?
Today the itching is much better, but my face is red on one side (not painful like a sunburn) and blotching, hives on the other. The skin feels tight and sore today from the scratching I did for awhile, I'm ashamed to admit.
I need to find a way to get around this if it is a screen problem. I'm willing to cover up while outside and just ordered a desert sun hat with back flap and wide brim to protect my face. I'm avoiding the sun between 10 and 2 but frankly, I can't live like a vampire and do the work that I need to do on our farm.
Any suggestions? Besides becoming a child of the night? I'm in month three of high dose treatment and don't want to stop as it seems to be really helping me. The doctor suggested switching ABTs over the summer but I really am afraid to do that since I'm getting such good results on the Doxy.
Any suggestions highly appreciated.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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kidsgotlyme
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-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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lymie tony z
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doxy and sunlight does'nt go together well....
if a little white vinegar does'nt help then you have a rash...
I don't know why anyone would put sunscreen on in the first place...but different brands does'nt sound too good as well....
did ya read any of the instructions on the doxy? did ya read any of the instructions on the different sunscreens?
There's a whole host of little rashes and irruptions one might get if one has coinfections along with the spirochetes....
No diagnosis here just some advice...you should have gotten from your pharmacist....
tetracycline type antibiotics and solar rays do not mix!
I used white vinegar when I got sunburned really bad in Oahu! zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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sutherngrl
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I have been on Doxy for 10 months and have sat in the sun for 10 minutes or so without sunscreen and was fine. Scared to do more.
I have used sunscreen when I spent a little longer time in the sun and did not end up with any kind of rash.
Sounds like a possible allergic reaction to me, either to doxy or to the sunscreen.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I don't think it's the doxy I'm allergic to. The rash is only on my face and neck, where I applied sunscreens. Where I didn't have sunscreen, namely my hands, are fine. So,I'm thinking it is the sunscreen. Problem is, which one. I am suspecting it's Water Babies which was an spf of 45. My spray was coppertone sunscreen which I've used before without problems. I was running through the house and figured that it was time to reapply, the water babies was handy so I used it. I don't remember seeing any contraindications on any of them although I have read where some of the fragrances can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
Lyme Tony z. I are a nurse. Have been one for 35 years...whatcha need to know about medication side effects? I probably know most of them for the major drugs so yep, I am aware of the solar warnings.
I too have been spending short periods in the sun up till now without bad effects other than a little redness and that is without sunscreen. With the sunscreens, I've done ok for longer periods of time. That is why I am suspecting that this is a sunscreen allergy.
My big problem now is to figure out which sunscreen will work the best with the doxy for short duration sun exposure. Keep in mind I was in and out, in the sun and in deep shade, the whole spectrum while covered with sunscreen and cloth.
I don't think I could tolerate vinegar, which I have used for sunburn before. My skin isn't burned. It's just RED, Blotchy and itchy!
I had to take another benedryl while at work today as the redness started to get worse. Haven't been outside all day.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I found a sun screen at Walgreen's that is 85 or 100 SPF. So far it hasn't made me break out. I am on doxy too.
I got burned once when I sat in the sun for a total of an hour while wearing it, but I think I missed a couple spots on my face, and maybe it had washed off of my fingers and the backs of my hands, that got the worst of the burn.
I have been okay walking across parking lots, etc. without sunscreen, so far. I think I need to get some gear to cover up with as it gets hotter.
I guess you could try one sunscreen at a time, and see if you get the icky reaction again, though that doesn't sound like fun.
-------------------- Don't forget to laugh! And when you're going through hell, keep going!
Bitten 5/25/2009 in Perry County, Indiana. Diagnosed by LLMD 12/2/2009. Posts: 756 | From Inside the tunnel | Registered: Jan 2010
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posted
Thanks Lightattheend. I'm going to be near a Walgreens tomorrow. Do you remember the name of that sunscreen? Sounds like what I'm looking for.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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feelfit
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Have you thought of using straight zinc oxide? Not very pretty, but it is the only ingrediant in the tube.
feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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My husband suggested that this morning. I said, clear or white and he said white. I just gave a long tortured sigh. You are correct, though, it is a pure protectant and is the only ingredient. I just keep getting this mental image of the geek with the triangle of zinc oxide on his nose. Oh well, better to be a oxided geek than to be hived out hottie. I'm past wanting to be cool looking anyway. I just want to be protected from feeling any worst than I have this last year.
My husband found a tick crawling up his arm last night. We think it came off of one of our dogs so we Front Lined them pronto. I almost broke into tears at the sight of it. I never thought I could be so afraid of a small bug. But now I know the damage that one bug can do if it bites you and is a carrier.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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ping
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posted
Nemo, Photo-sensitivity is very common with Doxy and is not considered an allergic reaction, in the classic form of the description. All tetracycline derivatives are known for this; some more than others and doxy for me, is the worst.
Doxy and sun made me extremely ill the one and only time I took it and I took loads of precautions. Suggest you stay completely out of the sun while on doxy or if you must be outside, please ask your doc to change your rx.
Wishing you a "no burn" summer.
-------------------- ping "We are more than containers for Lyme" Posts: 1302 | From Back in TX again | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Ping, I'm seriously thinking of doing just that. I am doing very well on the Doxy but I can't have another siege like this one. It was a severe reaction, either photo sensitivity to the doxy or an allergic reaction to the scent additives in the water baby sunscreen. I hate doing it but I can't do this again.
I've taken Augmentin before for a severe sinus infection and haven't had bad reactions to it like this.
I've pulled up B's Managing Lyme Disease and am studying up on the suggested dosage so I can present it to my doc when I call him
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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ping
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Nemo, I fully understand and couldn't take another incident like the one I had with doxy either. it was bad . (I was only in the sun 5 minutes!)
Guess it's sort of like getting pregnant...Only takes one "incident", huh?! LOL!
Best to you.
-------------------- ping "We are more than containers for Lyme" Posts: 1302 | From Back in TX again | Registered: Mar 2005
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I called my doctor and talked to his nurse. Told her what had happened. Her response was, you went out in the sun, didn't you. I told her how careful I'd been, covering up, slathering on sunscreen every half hour, etc, but still was a hived up mess, not to mention my sunburned lower lip. ouch!
They told me to stop my antibiotic for a week in order to get my skin to settle down and then they were going to start me on another abt. Probably Augmentin, over the summer months.
I have to admit, it scares me. I'm so afraid I'll go out of the 80% remission I've worked so hard to obtain. I voiced my fears to my husband, who battles recurrent basal cell skin cancer and he told me, welcome to the club, it's always something and we both just have to face the probability of things resurfacing from time to time.
I hate this disease. But most of all, I hate being denied the pleasure of going outside during the summer months.
I'm also going to stock up on Neutrogena SPF 100 sunscreen and hope for the best.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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ping
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6974
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I don't know, Nemo. If your doc/nurse wants to switch out doxy, then, okay. But an 80% recovery on doxy alone? That's really good and just my personal opinion, I'd be willing to work around that sunshine exposure in order to continue that recovery trend.
Kudos to your hubby! I used to be a sun worshipper, but no more. Scared of melanoma and have had severe burns. In summer, I go out in early AM and late afternoon, once sun sets below trees / buildings.
Please be careful, Nemo. If you don't respond to the new abx rx, then, knowing what I know now (in remission 3 yrs after 5 yrs tx), I'd skip one summer in the sun to go back on doxy.
Good luck and keep in touch.
-------------------- ping "We are more than containers for Lyme" Posts: 1302 | From Back in TX again | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Yeah, I responded very well to the Doxy, especially since I was caught and diagnosed early (less than a year after being bitten)I still have some wandering neuritis and joint pain, but it's about 10% of what it was at it's worst. No more fever, memory and mental function normal for whatever is normal for me. I was really pleased and starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Now this.
If the reaction I had over the weekend had been less, I wouldn't have been so worried. I worked out a plan of applying sunscreen, wearing long sleeves, gloves, hats and hydration and figured that if it worked, I was in the clear for the summer. It didn't work. Even at this degree of protection, I was a mess.
Yeah, if this doesn't work, back to the Doxy. I just went over to the bank from our office with my lab coat pulled over my head. Got a lot of strange looks when I went in and sympathy when I explained. Like looking at me wasn't enough.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I always thought the herx response was a die off of the Bb.
Is this correct? Or is it infected defense cells?
Is the Bb going cystic to evade the antibiotics?
Interesting concept and lots of information here that I plan to look at when I have a break in work.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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I'm past wanting to be cool looking anyway. I just want to be protected from feeling any worst than I have this last year.
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