Can't wait for answers on this one! I am new to methotrexate and warm weather is on it's way.

When I was on MTX I didn't avoid the sun at all costs but certainly tried to stay in the shade whenever possible. I've always tanned fairly easily. On MTX, avoiding the sun I got the best tans of my life. Honestly people thought I was always getting back from Florida. It was a nice side effect I suppose.

wow ... another thing to think about ... I had not even begun to think about the sun!?!?!?! ... Dr. didn't say anything about it ... but I am thinking that peppyest probably has a point ... back to google I go.

My rx has that as a warning on the bottle; the doc didn't say anything

I have a very pale redhead complextion (from my mother) but had dark hair (from my father's genes), and amazingly, I would rarely ever burn, but, I freckle. Nobody could ever convince me that those spots all over my face and body were cute and adorable, so I stayed out of the sun. In the 60's, use of sunscreen was very rare. Now, I use a sunscreen with a sun block, and a moisturizer that has an SPF of 50.

About 10 years ago, my eye Dr told me to make sure I wear sunglasses with UV protection, and a hat with a wide enough brim so that the sun does not go in from the sides of the glasses, hitting my eyes. The sun can possibly speed up cataracs.

Protect your self from the sun. I have read with RA meds like MTX & Biologics that your chances for skin cancer increase by 50% My Rheumy has confirmed this also. Either wear long sleeves or suncreen. I personally get an allergic reaction (itchy skin rash) when I stay in the sun about an hour.

I am like suera, would get the best tan ever even while in the shade. I try to stick to the shade, but love to walk outdoors. When I do, I make sure to use sunscreen, I mean spf 50, sunglasses, hat etc, and I still tan. If I didnt use theses I would end up with a rash and/or nasty sunburn. You must be careful while on MTX. You dont want to end up looking like the woman who was on TV that was addicted to tanning LOL!

I've already had basal cell skin cancer multiple times, so I hope this doesn't encourage the growth of those cells even more. Never leave the house without sunscreen, unless it's raining or something, and I forget. MTX makes you more sun sensitive? Yikes.

all great replies.it's the skin cancer that most worries me.i guess i'll just slather myself with sunblock...obviously we can't avoid the sun completely ...at least i won't.ooxx,Kathy

Well give me 5 mins in the sun and I have tiny blisters all over the exposed areas...I use the highest spf that I can find and wear a hat or my head gets sunburned. I try to avoid the sun and do things early in the a.m. or after sundown.. I take no chances..I've had sun poisoning while on the mtx and I do not want it again.

I'm in Texas and in the summer I swim and garden everyday. I do use sunscreen, I never had a problem with the sun. =) I did take 10 pills later a weekly shot.