Sun Safety & Medications: Tips & Precautions

05 May, 2025

Is the summer sun a friend or foe, especially when you're navigating the complex world of medications and treatments? Understanding how the sun interacts with various medical interventions, from systemic radiation to topical creams, is crucial for maintaining your health and well-being.

When undergoing systemic radiation treatment, it's essential to take precautions to minimize potential risks. This includes specific hygiene practices to manage the effects of the treatment. You may be advised to wash your laundry separately from the rest of your household, including towels and sheets. Moreover, it is advised to sit down when using the toilet to avoid splashing of body waste. Additionally, you should flush the toilet twice after each use and meticulously wash your hands after each use.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are taking medications that can cause increased sensitivity to the sun, reducing the risk of sunburns becomes a priority. Avoiding direct exposure to the sun is the first step, as is staying away from tanning beds. When you do spend time outdoors, wearing sunscreen is paramount.

For those taking Prednisone, the situation is different. Prednisone itself doesn't typically increase sun sensitivity. However, its always a good idea to practice sun-safe behaviors. Using sunscreen and covering up to reduce sun damage should still be an everyday practice.

The following table provides a summary of medications and their potential sun sensitivity, along with recommended precautions:

Medication	Sun Sensitivity Risk	Precautions	Reference
Doxycycline	High	Avoid direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., use SPF 30+ sunscreen, wear protective clothing.	Mayo Clinic
Retinol	High	Wear protective clothing (hats, long sleeves), stay in the shade, use SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapply sunscreen every two hours.	Chimento (Source unspecified, e.g., a dermatologist's recommendation)
Bactrim	Moderate	Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen, consider sun-protective clothing.	(Source unspecified, often from a medical professional's advice)
Fluorouracil (Topical)	High	Stay out of the sun until all signs of redness are gone. Seek medical help for severe reactions.	Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Soolantra	Low (but Rosacea trigger)	Use protective clothing if in the sun, avoid direct sunlight as a rosacea trigger.	(Based on general medical advice and drug information)
Prednisone	Low (generally no increased sun sensitivity, but follow sun-safe practices)	Use sunscreen, and wear protective clothing.	(Based on general medical advice)
Medications with increased sun sensitivity	High	Stay out of direct sunlight, especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., cover up and use sunscreen.	(Based on general medical advice and drug information)

If the antibiotic you're taking has the potential for sun sensitivity, the Mayo Clinic advises avoiding direct sunlight, particularly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The best way to protect yourself is to remember your SPF, a hat, and even protective clothing. Reviewing your prescriptions before sun exposure is also essential, this will help to avoid potentially severe sunburns and sun rashes.

Doxycycline monohydrate, used to treat skin infections and other conditions, is one such medication. Exposure to the sun while taking doxycycline may result in skin rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn. To protect your skin while taking this medication, stay out of direct sunlight, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., the time of day when the sun is strongest.

Soolantra, on the other hand, while not making your skin more sensitive to the sun, is often used to treat rosacea. Sun exposure is a common trigger for rosacea flare-ups. Using proper protective clothing is advisable. The duration of how long to stay out of the sun can vary, it is advisable to wait until the drug is mostly cleared from the body.

For those using Soolantra cream, proper storage is also important. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from dampness, direct sunlight, and temperatures exceeding 30C. Avoid freezing the product and store it out of children's reach. While Soolantra should not be on the eyes or eyelids, a study showed that application of Soolantra on the eyelashes was effective in improving the signs and symptoms of demodex blepharitis.

When considering sun exposure and medications, always be mindful of the UV index. Even on days that dont feel particularly hot, the UV rays can still be strong. It is essential to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., during peak sun exposure.

If you are using retinol, follow additional rules. Wear protective clothing like hats and long sleeves, stay in the shade whenever possible, and use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

After undergoing laser hair removal or an IPL treatment, sun avoidance is crucial. For about two weeks after laser hair removal and about a week after IPL treatments, the skin is extremely sensitive and vulnerable to sun damage. Sunscreen of SPF 30 and a hat are recommended.

If you develop a sunburn while undergoing chemotherapy, try to avoid further sun exposure. Use cool, wet compresses to ease discomfort. Contact your healthcare provider if you have severe redness, if the sunburned area involves a significant percentage of your body, if you develop a fever or chills, or if you have any other concerning symptoms.

Sunburn and sun protection treatments and prevention including sunscreen healthdirect

Details

Sun Safety — Prevent Child Injury

Details

Started Soolantra. Skin worse than ever! If I go outside in the sun for a split second, this is

Details

Detail Author:

Name : Dr. Everett Schinner II
Username : kane.harris
Email : sasha.frami@rogahn.com
Birthdate : 2004-04-22
Address : 5075 Greenholt Pine Alejandraview, CT 12987
Phone : 1-580-917-2822
Company : Sanford, Simonis and Cole
Job : Metal Molding Operator
Bio : Maxime repudiandae porro omnis libero nihil fugiat vel. Fuga voluptate quisquam et sed est aut. Velit ipsa tempore consequatur a et qui sequi.

Socials

tiktok:

url : https://tiktok.com/@trenton.kling
username : trenton.kling
bio : Inventore rerum sint quos sed quam illo. Inventore voluptas est quia non.
followers : 2930
following : 860