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› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Sunscreens
debwray.
I'm sort of afraid to go out in the sun even with sunscreen on since having melanoma. I have severe osteoporosis and was originally told to get some sunlight to get Vitamin D, and use Vit D/Calcium supplements. Has anyone here had a recommendation regarding this issue from their dermatologist?
My derm, a melanoma specialist, has never told me to avoid the sun. Quite the opposite. You need vitamin D, most of us are deficient even with some sun exposure. If you are going to be outside in the sun for more than half an hour, then use sun screen, less than that you don't really need sun screen. Elta MD is a good brand that was recommended by my derm. And sun protective clothing is great too. But, don't be afraid of the sun. You don't know for sure if that's why you got melanoma in the first place, and the damage is already done if it was. Try not to be a vampire.. it's most of our first reactions after a diagnosis like this, but the sun fear wears off over time and you learn what sun safety techniques work best for you for outdoor activities.
My derm, a melanoma specialist, has never told me to avoid the sun. Quite the opposite. You need vitamin D, most of us are deficient even with some sun exposure. If you are going to be outside in the sun for more than half an hour, then use sun screen, less than that you don't really need sun screen. Elta MD is a good brand that was recommended by my derm. And sun protective clothing is great too. But, don't be afraid of the sun. You don't know for sure if that's why you got melanoma in the first place, and the damage is already done if it was. Try not to be a vampire.. it's most of our first reactions after a diagnosis like this, but the sun fear wears off over time and you learn what sun safety techniques work best for you for outdoor activities.
My derm, a melanoma specialist, has never told me to avoid the sun. Quite the opposite. You need vitamin D, most of us are deficient even with some sun exposure. If you are going to be outside in the sun for more than half an hour, then use sun screen, less than that you don't really need sun screen. Elta MD is a good brand that was recommended by my derm. And sun protective clothing is great too. But, don't be afraid of the sun. You don't know for sure if that's why you got melanoma in the first place, and the damage is already done if it was. Try not to be a vampire.. it's most of our first reactions after a diagnosis like this, but the sun fear wears off over time and you learn what sun safety techniques work best for you for outdoor activities.
Thanks Jenn for your comments and recommendation for a good sunscreen. I did end up taking a walk today outside and just put sunscreen on my face as the rest of my body was covered by clothes. It was such a beautiful sunny winter day and my leg healed enough to walk around.
Thanks Jenn for your comments and recommendation for a good sunscreen. I did end up taking a walk today outside and just put sunscreen on my face as the rest of my body was covered by clothes. It was such a beautiful sunny winter day and my leg healed enough to walk around.
Great to hear!
Great to hear!
Great to hear!
Hi Aloha,
How is the seroma ? Remebered someting else that helped. I used to "borrow" my husbands soft jersey trunks/underwear as the soft cotton covered the lump and the elastic did not rub/ cross the dressing or incision line.. might be worth a try ?
Best wishes
Deb
Hi Aloha,
How is the seroma ? Remebered someting else that helped. I used to "borrow" my husbands soft jersey trunks/underwear as the soft cotton covered the lump and the elastic did not rub/ cross the dressing or incision line.. might be worth a try ?
Best wishes
Deb
Hi Aloha,
How is the seroma ? Remebered someting else that helped. I used to "borrow" my husbands soft jersey trunks/underwear as the soft cotton covered the lump and the elastic did not rub/ cross the dressing or incision line.. might be worth a try ?
Best wishes
Deb
Thanks Jenn for your comments and recommendation for a good sunscreen. I did end up taking a walk today outside and just put sunscreen on my face as the rest of my body was covered by clothes. It was such a beautiful sunny winter day and my leg healed enough to walk around.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for asking about the seroma. Still have the seroma and it's not getting smaller. The ultrasound showed 3 seromas. The seroma itself doesn't cause pain but from the edge of it and 4-5 inches below it's really sore. Saw the resident on Thursday who thinks the sore area is scar tissue but to me feels like a permanent muscle spasm. Since my stitches were also removed I've got a PT order for scar work and possibly my PT can undo some of the stress on the area below. Thanks for the suggestion about wearing cloth over it. Instructions to recontact the surgeon if the size doesn't go down in the next 3 weeks. Glad to have the stitches out from my lower leg so now I can return to the gym.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for asking about the seroma. Still have the seroma and it's not getting smaller. The ultrasound showed 3 seromas. The seroma itself doesn't cause pain but from the edge of it and 4-5 inches below it's really sore. Saw the resident on Thursday who thinks the sore area is scar tissue but to me feels like a permanent muscle spasm. Since my stitches were also removed I've got a PT order for scar work and possibly my PT can undo some of the stress on the area below. Thanks for the suggestion about wearing cloth over it. Instructions to recontact the surgeon if the size doesn't go down in the next 3 weeks. Glad to have the stitches out from my lower leg so now I can return to the gym.
Hi Deb,
Thanks for asking about the seroma. Still have the seroma and it's not getting smaller. The ultrasound showed 3 seromas. The seroma itself doesn't cause pain but from the edge of it and 4-5 inches below it's really sore. Saw the resident on Thursday who thinks the sore area is scar tissue but to me feels like a permanent muscle spasm. Since my stitches were also removed I've got a PT order for scar work and possibly my PT can undo some of the stress on the area below. Thanks for the suggestion about wearing cloth over it. Instructions to recontact the surgeon if the size doesn't go down in the next 3 weeks. Glad to have the stitches out from my lower leg so now I can return to the gym.
Firmer tissue below the scar could be lymphoedema- lymph fluid that is struggling to find a workaround to get back into the circulation. If your wound is healed you could try some simple manual lymphatic drainage techniques- or body brushing to try to encourage it to find new routes.
and massage instructions that might help reduce the area of firmness-You tube videos etc available but the Marsden is a reasonable source for info in the UK.
https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/web/data/lymphdrainagelegs_web-1.pdf
Take care
Deb
Firmer tissue below the scar could be lymphoedema- lymph fluid that is struggling to find a workaround to get back into the circulation. If your wound is healed you could try some simple manual lymphatic drainage techniques- or body brushing to try to encourage it to find new routes.
and massage instructions that might help reduce the area of firmness-You tube videos etc available but the Marsden is a reasonable source for info in the UK.
https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/web/data/lymphdrainagelegs_web-1.pdf
Take care
Deb
Firmer tissue below the scar could be lymphoedema- lymph fluid that is struggling to find a workaround to get back into the circulation. If your wound is healed you could try some simple manual lymphatic drainage techniques- or body brushing to try to encourage it to find new routes.
and massage instructions that might help reduce the area of firmness-You tube videos etc available but the Marsden is a reasonable source for info in the UK.
https://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/web/data/lymphdrainagelegs_web-1.pdf
Take care
Deb
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