Sunshine Rash

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Karla - 01 Sep 2008 03:33 GMT

Hi Everyone. It's been a while since my last post and I've got a question.
My sister in law has developed a really bad rash on her arms. Her GP thinks
it probably exposure to the sun (she was diagnosed with Lupus about 12 years
ago). She's been putting her sunscreen on religiously and she tries her
best to wear long sleeved shirts and such, but she's going through some sort
of forced early menopause or something so she finds it VERY warm a lot of
the time. I'm wondering if anyone has heard about a body suit made out of
fabric that would fully protect her from the UV rays that are causing her so
much trouble. She's getting to the point now where sitting near a window
with the curtains open is problematic. The GP (not a lupus specialist at
all) advised her to have a look at this sort of thing. I wanted your advice
before she shells out major money for this thing. Has anyone tried it? Is
there a "better" one? Things like that. Any info would be great. Thanks
sooo much.
Karla
Newfoundland, Canada

Reply to this Message

William R. Thompson - 01 Sep 2008 05:17 GMT

> Hi Everyone. It's been a while since my last post and I've got a
> question. My sister in law has developed a really bad rash on her arms.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Karla
> Newfoundland, Canada

Has she tried using a sunblock with mexoryl? Most sunblocks only
stop UV-B and some of the UV-A. Mexoryl (also called ecamsule)
cuts out a lot more of the UV-A part of the spectrum.

Rit makes a type of dye called Sunguard which will increase the SPF
factor of cloth. Sunguard doesn't change the color of a fabric; it's
sort-of like putting a coat of clear varnish over wood.

--Bill Thompson

Reply to this Message

Shelagh - 01 Sep 2008 17:34 GMT

http://www.coolibar.com/index.html = Coolibar
(I have no financial interest in this company)
sells clothing that completely block the UV rays....
and are a cool and light weight fabric that is easy to wear in the summer
for anyone!
Give their website URL to her to look through and they will send their
catalogue free of charge.
Good luck!
hugs,
Shelagh
http://members.shaw.ca/tiderington ~ Lupus - Invisible in Plain Sight

Reply to this Message

George Parton - 01 Sep 2008 22:52 GMT

> Hi Everyone. It's been a while since my last post and I've got a question.
> My sister in law has developed a really bad rash on her arms. Her GP thinks
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Karla
> Newfoundland, Canada

I have tried many different brands of "sunblocker" type clothing with
differing degrees of success. Many of the specialty brands are too
expensive.

However, the best value I have found is the "Columbia" brand which is
often promoted at sale prices here in the Phoenix area, especially by
Cabella's. They make shirts, hats, pants and jackets in all sizes.

BTW, I recommend getting a little bit larger size for comfort and
wicking ability. I have found the fabric shades better when not
stretched and the extra room helps with air circulation which aids in
cooling.

Good luck,

George

Reply to this Message

janers - 03 Sep 2008 02:57 GMT

I agree with everything they all said, the sites and the clothing. I myself
use all that stuff plus got tint put on my car windows.

NOW they make a tint looks like metal to view it but put it on a house
window and you can't see it. it blocks the sun. I am not sure if you can get
it in canada but maybe google window tint for houses, you might be able to
order some.

I am sorry you have to go through this. I am sun sensitive but not as much
as you are that is for sure. I hope all the information helps you.

There is a body suit that people that have a disease that can not get out in
the daylight at all. So I am not sure where or how that works.

good luck and keep us informed.
janers

Reply to this Message

KCat - 03 Sep 2008 21:04 GMT

I wanted your advice

> before she shells out major money for this thing. Has anyone tried it? Is
> there a "better" one? Things like that. Any info would be great. Thanks
> sooo much.
> Karla
> Newfoundland, Canada

one thing for her to keep in mind when considering the expense, this
clothing lasts a long time and does it's job very well. I practically
live in the stuff and it has given me a lot of freedom compared to
just sunblock.

She should look into the travel clothing catelogs as well. They often
have one or two pieces and are priced more reasonably than Solumbra. I
like some of Coolibar's styles as well and they are not quite as
expensive as Solumbra and the material is just as soft as Solumbra.
Some of the really cheap sunblock clothing is rather scratchy which
most of us with sun sensitivity find almost as miserable as the sun
itself.

Reply to this Message

George Parton - 05 Sep 2008 20:39 GMT

> I wanted your advice
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> most of us with sun sensitivity find almost as miserable as the sun
> itself.

I too have tried many different brands of sunblocker clothing. For me
the type of cloth is most important.

In my previous post I failed to mention that in our climate cotton just
doesn't work for me. It has a smothering blanket type feel. This was a
major revelation to me for I had always thought cotton was the best and
was encouraged to avoid synthetics. I have found the synthetics and
synthetic blends seem to work well also.

Microfibre is the best I have found. The shirts purchased from
"Travelsmith" in microfibre are wonderful but the cotton are not. Price
not a factor. My sweet wife even purchased sunblocker microfibre from a
company called "Weather or Not" and made some clothing for me.
Microfibre is the best I have found regardless of price or manufacturer.

"Cheap" of course is a degree of quality and not of price. I still find
my Columbia brand shirts in microfibre equal to those I have paid double
and triple for from the travel mags and catalogs.

I hope this is helpful,

George

Reply to this Message