On new meds.....limit sun...leaving March 18th.

I can%26#39;t even believe it! My Dr. just put me on a new med. Well actually it isn%26#39;t totally new, but now has a water pill added into it. Warnings are to limit prolonged sun exposure. I%26#39;m leaving for Hawaii on March 18th !! How do I limit sun? I am very distraught over this. I do not think my Dr. wants to have me wait to beging the med till after the trip. I%26#39;m not even going to go there with her. Pharmacy said effects can be: a rash, blotchiness, super sensitive to burning. I do wear a high number spf when in Hawaii.

Just wondering if anyone else here has issues with meds that have the ';sun warning';. And, yes I know everyone reacts differently. What a bummer of a time to have this to deal with. Boooo Hoooo!!

On new meds.....limit sun...leaving March 18th.

Wear a hat. Wear long sleeves. Buy a long sleeve rash guard for when you are in the water. Wear the highest spf sunscreen on the market (I%26#39;ve seen them at 40+, they probably run even higher) and reapply frequently.

You won%26#39;t be the only one ';covered up';. Many Asian visitors do not want to get tanned so you%26#39;ll have plenty of company. In fact, most locals do tend to wear more clothing than visitors. To them, suimsuits/boardshorts are for swimming and water sports, not for shopping in the mall or going out for lunch.

FWIW - if your doctor said to take your meds, then take them. They don%26#39;t prescribe them for kicks %26amp; giggles or to ruin your vacation.

On new meds.....limit sun...leaving March 18th.

I am in the same boat. I take 2 meds that increase sun sensitivity. Sometimes I do get a rash on my knees and elbows or forehead...but less so now that I:

1) Use SPF 50 on my face at all times. Put it on my arms, hands, legs, feet before I go outside if it is after 7 am or before 5 pm.

2) Wear sunglasses outside.

3) Wear a hat with a flop brim when outside or on the beach. (NOt straw, not a cute little cap, a big opaque cloth hat with a brim all around.

4) Wear long-sleeve t shirts if I am going hiking, walking around sightseeing, or out on a boat. Get a swim coverup with long sleeves and thick fabric.

5. Wear a long sleeved rash guard (spandex shirt) at the beach over my swim suit. I have a good one that is SPF 50. Saves a fortune in suntan lotion for my back and arms. If you get a $12 one somewher echeck to see if it claims to be SPF50. I got mine at a surf shop and it cost about $30 and is.

6. Use SPF 50 for car rides too.

7. Get some SFP 30+ lip balm (Ocen Potion or Copertone or whatever) and keep using it.

Look ate www.divegoddess.com for long sleeved, long legged swimsuits. They have fun, colorful patterns. I have had skin cancer. This is what I wear. I also use BullFrog Gel SPF 35 sunscreen. It is the best if you are in the water all day. Have fun! Be Careful!

You%26#39;re getting good advice!

I use Banana Boat Sport 50 sunblock - wear a wide floppy hat, never go without sunglasses and also wear sunblock for face (I use the childrens%26#39; variety on all these since they are more friendly to my skin)

If you are in water in the morning make sure to reapply again right after lunch.

You can order shirts with sunblock built in at LLBean (they call them tropic-wear), REI, and many other outdoor suppliers.

You can become an Ace at finding shade as well.

Umbrellas are handy on the beach and parasols are quite sassy.

Make sure you drink gobs and gobs of water!!!

My Doc added the same thing to my BP meds 3 years ago right before our trip to Maui and I too FREAKED.

Just Be VERY religious about applying your sunscreen and you%26#39;ll be fine, I missed a spot on my upper thigh last year and it turned purple...no pain, just purple. As the poem goes ';when I am old I will where purple with a red hat that doesn%26#39;t match';...I bought the red hat! HA

Remember the ';warnings'; are extreme cases. Don%26#39;t let it ruin your trip just take normal precautions.

Hawaiiforus - - WOW - I just visited the website that you posted, ';Dive Goddess'; and I am seriously impressed! These suits are gorgeous - short of camoflage it%26#39;s a great way for sun protection and cellulite coverage!

You mentioned that you wear them - are they hot? I usually hate anything with Lycra or spandex when in the tropics.

We Washingtonians are simply not cut out for too much sun (although I have been %26#39;allergic%26#39; for many years)

THANK YOU!

LesRose,

I don%26#39;t find the suits on www.divegoddess.com hot. They are made out of normal swimsuit material. I spend a lot of time in the water and not too much time sitting on the beach. I know they are made for snorkeling, but I wear them swimming and boogie boarding too. I love the patterns.

HawaiiForUs!

What a hoot! Did you notice that most of us are Washingtonians. We are just used to ';rusting'; rather than tanning! After this winter I am SOOO ready for 2 weeks in Maui...it snowed Again today!

Mamma - where are you at? Snow? Anow? I was out gardening today in my shirt sleeves - sunshine and gorgeous!!!!!

a brief glimpse of Spring.

Meanwhile I just nose around on the web for sunshine and palm trees!!! Can hardly wait until May...

Just North of Monroe...if it says over 500%26#39; in elevation we get it! It was brief but ENOUGH ALREADY! Ha I am sooo over this winter!