Moondust’s Tips to Manage if Sun Sensitive or on Medications Summer 2023
Summer days are typically carefree times, yet we are smart to take those easy steps that protect us from damaging UVA/UVB rays and other risks from overexposure. New climate patterns including higher heat have us paying attention. The heat and sun exposure are even more top of mind for the sun sensitive and others whose medication causes photosensitivity. This post is beyond tips on lifestyle hacks like diet, protective clothing and smart use of sun protection. Read on for examples of medications that require you to manage your sun time, mindfully in the heat or bright sun.
There are many common drugs to watch out for as far as their impact on anyone, especially older adults. Higher temperatures, basically across the world, affect our body’s ability to cool itself down. Some people are on multiple meds that may interfere with this ability and more body functions.
Moondust Cosmetics has been a source of comfort and safety for the sun sensitive who must work or choose to play outdoors. Even enjoying walks or cycling or sitting inside vehicles near windows is a point of caution for the sun-sensitive and, people recovering from skin cancer or concerned because it is in the family. The website has many posts covering easy lifestyle tweaks and thoughtful use of sun protection creams. Today we continue with heat and meds!
“This issue is particularly important for older people because they tend to be on more medications that alter either the body’s control of circulating blood volume and/or cardiac activity, which can make it harder to deal with the heat,” says Cecilia Sorensen, M.D. and director of the Global Consortium on Climate Health and Education at Columbia University in New York City. (For more on the GCCHE, launched in early 2017, after a special session at COP-21 read here:)
“It’s important to pay attention to this often-overlooked side effect during heat waves, which the Environmental Protection Agency (USA) says are increasing in both intensity and frequency. But it’s not just those stifling stretches that can be dangerous. Research shows that older patients with chronic medical conditions who take heat-sensitive medications can have medication-related problems throughout the entire summer.”
5 drugs that put you at risk in the sun for side effects and sunburn-like symptoms
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Antihistamines
- Statin cholesterol medications
- Diabetes medications
What is the link between medications and heat tolerance?
Your body, always on the lookout for your survival, tries to maintain a 98.6 degrees temperature, which we generally hold as ideal. And it will help you cool down in two ways:
Perspiration: you sweat, it evaporates from your skin and cools your body.
Blood vessels: lying in a network under your skin they vasodilate or widen and bring warm blood closer to the surface and allow the skin to release heat.
Our amazing thermoregulation system is affected by some drugs. They might limit the body’s ability to sweat or reduce blood flow to the skin. Medications might also accelerate dehydration or simply make your skin more sensitive in the sun, adding to the likelihood of a sunburn- which brings you closer to risk of skin cancer or melanoma.
Unfortunately, as easy as it is to take precautions in lifestyle alone to prevent skin from burning or being affected by heat, some of our lifestyle realities also make us more susceptible to heat-related issues.
Risk factors may include simply spending healthy time outside – but in the hours of greatest heat or sun exposure to do things like yard work, physical activity or exercise. It may also be riskier for impact by being older (65+ is generally the point) or having chronic medical conditions or being overweight.
How to reduce heat-related health risks and burning in the sun‘
Plan activity for the cooler times of the day to avoid medication side effects when the weather report calls for heat.
Maintain an active lifestyle and keep to a healthy diet to build resilience
Monitor and manage meds that make it harder for your body to handle the heat
The medications fall into these main categories
- Heart medications: Prescriptions for high blood pressure, blood-clot prevention and meds that support the pumping function of the heart. These drugs range from diuretics to antiplatelet, Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors
- Antidepressants: Meds that are prescribed to treat depression and anxiety.
- Antipsychotics: These medications treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders.
- Central nervous system stimulants: Commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) these drug and interactions with heat can affect people of all ages.
- Anticholinergics: While quite specialized to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and also overactive bladders, these drugs might catch people unaware until the experience rashes or other side effects from heat and sun exposure including sunburn like symptoms.
- Antihistamines: Regulars on the medicine cabinet shelves for seasonal allergies, bug bites and bee stings.
- Decongestants: Relief of common cold and allergies may also show up as side effects of heat and sun.
How to manage in the heat with your medications
Always talk to your doctor first and do not suddenly stop your prescription as you may need blood levels high enough to be effective for your condition.
Store medications properly especially if they require refrigeration.
And for the easy everyday tips: Stay hydrated – keep cool – wear light, loose-fitting clothes. At home close curtains and pull shades – use a fan or air-conditioning – limit or avoid outdoor activity during the hottest times of the day.
Dr. Moondust’s favourite summertime accessory, her floppy hat and sunglasses also help with photosensitivity.
And of course, a sun smart application of Skin Protector Plus to keep cool with a layer of lovingly natural ingredients and zinc oxide.
So, from Team Moondust the top summer tip is to scoop up bucket loads of free vitamin D which your body converts to help with so many body functions, but dress and plan for the best times out. Apply your SPP and enjoy healthy foods and lots of water throughout the day as you work and play in our summer season.
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