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Zelboraf and photosensitivity
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Zelboraf and photosensitivity

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Zelboraf and photosensitivity

  • Post
    • August 25, 2013 at 2:29 am
    mclaus23
    Participant
      I’ve told my dad numerous times to cover up if he even travels to the grocery store…he didn’t listen and has photosensitivity to his face. Has anyone had this and if so how did you treat it? He will now be wearing a hat I gave him and long sleeves. I don’t think he realized how harsh it is.

      Thanks!
      M

      I’ve told my dad numerous times to cover up if he even travels to the grocery store…he didn’t listen and has photosensitivity to his face. Has anyone had this and if so how did you treat it? He will now be wearing a hat I gave him and long sleeves. I don’t think he realized how harsh it is.

      Thanks!
      M

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 25, 2013 at 10:56 am
        AndyT
        Participant

          Photosensitivity is a very common side effect with zelboraf. My wife also had – she would get sunburns after only a couple of (unintentional) minutes in the sun, even in autumn and winter  You need to use strong sunscreens and most of all cover everything and avoid the sun, the sunbrnes can be nasty, you learn very soon. Do aslo pay attention to quality od shades in case of umbrellas, gazeboos etc. (UV protection).

          All the best to your dad, stay corageous at all times:)

          Andy

          • August 25, 2013 at 10:56 am
          AndyT
          Participant

            Photosensitivity is a very common side effect with zelboraf. My wife also had – she would get sunburns after only a couple of (unintentional) minutes in the sun, even in autumn and winter  You need to use strong sunscreens and most of all cover everything and avoid the sun, the sunbrnes can be nasty, you learn very soon. Do aslo pay attention to quality od shades in case of umbrellas, gazeboos etc. (UV protection).

            All the best to your dad, stay corageous at all times:)

            Andy

            • August 25, 2013 at 10:56 am
            AndyT
            Participant

              Photosensitivity is a very common side effect with zelboraf. My wife also had – she would get sunburns after only a couple of (unintentional) minutes in the sun, even in autumn and winter  You need to use strong sunscreens and most of all cover everything and avoid the sun, the sunbrnes can be nasty, you learn very soon. Do aslo pay attention to quality od shades in case of umbrellas, gazeboos etc. (UV protection).

              All the best to your dad, stay corageous at all times:)

              Andy

              • August 25, 2013 at 4:39 pm
              bj63
              Participant

                He definitely needs to cover up.  Don't forget to protect the lips, too.  I'm on Zelboraf and while I covered up and wore sunscreen, I didn't protect my lips and I sunburned my lower lip pretty badly over the 4th of July weekend.  It was an experience I don't care to repeat.  I also sunburned my uncovered arm after driving for just a couple hours with the sun shining in the car window.  After getting burned a couple of times I take the sun protection very seriously.

                If he does get burned, treatment is the same as any sunburn. If the burn is mild, with reddening of the skin but no oozing or blistering, shower or rinse with cool water for about 20 minutes to cool the skin (don't use ice!).  Pat the skin dry and slather up with copius quantities of aloe vera gel.  If the burn is more severe, with any kind of oozing, blistering, or crusting, consult a doctor.

                • August 25, 2013 at 4:39 pm
                bj63
                Participant

                  He definitely needs to cover up.  Don't forget to protect the lips, too.  I'm on Zelboraf and while I covered up and wore sunscreen, I didn't protect my lips and I sunburned my lower lip pretty badly over the 4th of July weekend.  It was an experience I don't care to repeat.  I also sunburned my uncovered arm after driving for just a couple hours with the sun shining in the car window.  After getting burned a couple of times I take the sun protection very seriously.

                  If he does get burned, treatment is the same as any sunburn. If the burn is mild, with reddening of the skin but no oozing or blistering, shower or rinse with cool water for about 20 minutes to cool the skin (don't use ice!).  Pat the skin dry and slather up with copius quantities of aloe vera gel.  If the burn is more severe, with any kind of oozing, blistering, or crusting, consult a doctor.

                  • August 25, 2013 at 4:39 pm
                  bj63
                  Participant

                    He definitely needs to cover up.  Don't forget to protect the lips, too.  I'm on Zelboraf and while I covered up and wore sunscreen, I didn't protect my lips and I sunburned my lower lip pretty badly over the 4th of July weekend.  It was an experience I don't care to repeat.  I also sunburned my uncovered arm after driving for just a couple hours with the sun shining in the car window.  After getting burned a couple of times I take the sun protection very seriously.

                    If he does get burned, treatment is the same as any sunburn. If the burn is mild, with reddening of the skin but no oozing or blistering, shower or rinse with cool water for about 20 minutes to cool the skin (don't use ice!).  Pat the skin dry and slather up with copius quantities of aloe vera gel.  If the burn is more severe, with any kind of oozing, blistering, or crusting, consult a doctor.

                    • August 26, 2013 at 2:09 am
                    mclaus23
                    Participant
                      Thank you both VERY much.
                      This helps greatly!!
                      • August 26, 2013 at 2:09 am
                      mclaus23
                      Participant
                        Thank you both VERY much.
                        This helps greatly!!
                        • August 26, 2013 at 2:09 am
                        mclaus23
                        Participant
                          Thank you both VERY much.
                          This helps greatly!!
                          • August 28, 2013 at 4:35 pm
                          Tina D
                          Participant

                            I took zelboraf last year for 6 months and I was astonished at how easily and quickly I burned in the sun. I had to carry something to protect my skin from the sun while riding in the car, a parasol anytime I was outside AT ALL, sunscreen ( not forgetting the lips) and long sleeves, etc. Oh… and my hubby bought me a bunch of wide-brimmed hats. I do not think the Drs stress enough just how sever the photosensitivty is. Sorry he got such a bad burn 🙁  

                            Tina

                            • August 28, 2013 at 4:35 pm
                            Tina D
                            Participant

                              I took zelboraf last year for 6 months and I was astonished at how easily and quickly I burned in the sun. I had to carry something to protect my skin from the sun while riding in the car, a parasol anytime I was outside AT ALL, sunscreen ( not forgetting the lips) and long sleeves, etc. Oh… and my hubby bought me a bunch of wide-brimmed hats. I do not think the Drs stress enough just how sever the photosensitivty is. Sorry he got such a bad burn 🙁  

                              Tina

                              • August 28, 2013 at 4:35 pm
                              Tina D
                              Participant

                                I took zelboraf last year for 6 months and I was astonished at how easily and quickly I burned in the sun. I had to carry something to protect my skin from the sun while riding in the car, a parasol anytime I was outside AT ALL, sunscreen ( not forgetting the lips) and long sleeves, etc. Oh… and my hubby bought me a bunch of wide-brimmed hats. I do not think the Drs stress enough just how sever the photosensitivty is. Sorry he got such a bad burn 🙁  

                                Tina

                                • August 28, 2013 at 8:03 pm
                                Richard_K
                                Participant

                                  The photosensitivity can be a real problem.  Sorry to have to tell you, but at least for me, it does not get any better with time.  In addition to all the other advice you ave received, I had the side windows of my truck tinted with a high SPF rated film; it made a huge difference while driving.

                                  Best of luck

                                  • August 28, 2013 at 8:03 pm
                                  Richard_K
                                  Participant

                                    The photosensitivity can be a real problem.  Sorry to have to tell you, but at least for me, it does not get any better with time.  In addition to all the other advice you ave received, I had the side windows of my truck tinted with a high SPF rated film; it made a huge difference while driving.

                                    Best of luck

                                    • August 28, 2013 at 8:03 pm
                                    Richard_K
                                    Participant

                                      The photosensitivity can be a real problem.  Sorry to have to tell you, but at least for me, it does not get any better with time.  In addition to all the other advice you ave received, I had the side windows of my truck tinted with a high SPF rated film; it made a huge difference while driving.

                                      Best of luck

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