Confused about treatment for actinic keratosis

Hi...   I'm in the same position as you...  I was told to use tolak at night and  to avoid the sun as much as possible and to wear a factor 50 cream during the day. Also to wear a hat and sunglasses.

This is for the 4 weeks using it and the  4 weeks after as well... apparently it makes you very sun sensitive.

I think that from what my doctor said, that if you put it on at night and then use factor 50 in the day you're less likely to have a bad sun reaction to it although he did stress to also keep out of the sun as well as much as possible..

Hi, thanks for your reply. How are you getting on with using it? I told my GP I work outside and she seemed unconcerned. I wear a hat and sunscreen anyway but wasn't sure that would be enough. She just told me to put more suncream on the patch than usual in the day time. Just have to see what happens I guess!

Hi

I'm on week two and my nose is now reacting to the cream...  its patchy red and sore... I'm surprised because I wear sun block everyday and had a bcc removed a few years ago.

I was told if I'm out to reapply the sun cream regularly whilst I'm on the cream and to cover up more...  this would also apply if you're indoors if the room gets a lot of sun.

Have you started using it yet?

Hi there

No I haven't yet - I'm going on holiday so decided to do it when I come back as I think it's ok to wait a bit. Off to Orkney walking so have got hats and factor 50.  Think this is one of the things I'm wrestling with as I love to be outside, in any weather, but GP more or less said live the life of a cave dweller! I don't like hot weather hence the Northern holidays but feel happier outside than in. Feel selfish worrying about this as the problem is so minor compared to most people here but can't decide what the advice actually means! Also feel a bit of an idiot as clearly didn't put enough suncream on in the past. 

I hope you're treatment is going ok and that it heals up nicely. 

Hope you enjoy your walking holiday....  I'm booked to having two walking holidays this year and asked my gp if it would be ok  to still go in them...  he was fine about it and just said to be extra vigilant about sun protection.... its not selfish at all to worry about your skin and treatment. Its perfectly natural....  I'm also an outdoor person who loves hiking and am in a constant state of stress about my skin...  I think all we can do is be as careful  and sensible as possible.

Hi rangergirl 

Whilst you do need to work out how best to protect yourself in the sun, you certainly don't need to be "live the life of a cave dweller". 

You don't have to stop doing things you used to enjoy doing in the sun, unless that was sunbathing, but you might need to change some things to protect yourself, depending on how you were in the sun before.

When I was diagnosed with melanoma I was told the following was necessary to protect myself in the sun:

1. Stay out of the sun during the strongest time of the day (11am to 3pm) between April and October inclusive in the UK and in all months of the year in any other part of the world
2. When going outside wear long sleeved tops and trousers/skirts made from natural fibres like cotton
3. Wear a broad brimmed hat (brim should be at least 3 inches) and sun glasses
4. Sit in the shade and never sunbathe 
5. Any part of your body that is not covered, ie face, neck, back of hands should have a sun protection cream of SPF 50 that is effective against both UVA and UVB rays
6. Re-apply the sunscreen as directed on the bottle
7. Never use sunbeds
8. Don't use sunscreen instead of covering up

The first summer after I was diagnosed was particularly hard as I used to enjoy sitting in the sun. However, I quickly got used to the new regime and have a selection of hats to choose from when I go out. I also decided that I now needed a whole new wardrobe so went on a shopping spree. So, every cloud has a silver lining!

I enjoy walking so have to admit that if I'm away on holiday and we're planning a walk I don't then stick to the rule of staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm but just make sure that I'm covered up and wearing sunscreen on my face and back of hands. It's just not always practical to stay indoors for 4 hours in the middle of the day.

I hope you have a lovely holiday.

Anne

Hi Anne

Thanks for replying and for the advice.Your positive attitude is very helpful!

I work outside as a countryside ranger so can't stay inside at work. I cover up when working and wear a hat but perhaps think I haven't put sunscreen on often enough so I'm much more aware of reapplying and the amount. But when I get in the shade (daytime or later) I'm desperate to get the hat off as my head is boiling! Any advice on the coolest hats? Not worried about cool looking just cool! Thanks.

I have a Tilly hat and don't get too hot in that. They are quite expensive but if you have a Go Outdoors near you they're usually a reasonable price there.

Don't forget that you need to cover up even in the shade between the sun's strongest time of the day, and that sunscreen shouldn't be a substitute for covering up but only used on areas that you can't cover, eg face, back of hands, etc.

Anne

Thank you for your kind words. I hope your holidays are good too. 

Have you had any problem with the Tolak getting in your eyes when applied at night at all?