leaving next week-on antibiotics-avoiding the sun

[carrie1626]

My sister just started an antibiotic today, which has a caution flag to AVOID THE SUN.
My sister is fair-skinned and sensitive to begin with so this is just adding fuel to the fire. She has plenty of SPF30 sunscreen and hat but is there anything else she needs to know about or recomendations so she doesn't suffer any further conplications.

THANKS

 

[kaytieeldr]

Check with the pharmacist. Generally that means intentional sun exposure/much skin, e.g. lying on the beach or at the pool in minimal clothing. She might want to add a with an all-around brim. Most of the attractions and shows have waiting areas that are entirely indoors or shaded; her sun exposure is going to be between attractions. The only ways to avoid that are to go to the parks at night or in the rain, or not to go at all.

 

[aussietravellers]

I would also wear a shirt with a collar and keep the collar up (the neck can get very burnt) and as already suggested a wide brimmed hat. But I would also wear long sleeves. If she doesn't have any, I wonder if she can buy some cheaper, very lightweight cotton or linen shirts, she could wear them open with a singlet top underneath, but that would protect her arms, so then it's just her legs and if she has some longer shorts or skirts (near the knee) then she will be pretty protected.

It usually means that you will burn more easily when told to avoid sun, so if going to be out in the sun for prolonged periods (like walking around a theme park and no sunbaking), its best to cover up with sunscreen and also wear protective clothing

 

[carrie1626]

Thanks for the suggestions. We're both bringing small compactable umbrellas for sun protection,also.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Please rethink the umbrellas. They would need to be VERY small - no larger than your shoulder span, and even that's not a good idea since umbrellas (or parasols) are round. Walt Disney World can get extremely crowded, and with Guests of varying heights, the umbrella spokes can be risky to other Guests. PLEASE just go with protective clothing, i.e. items attached to your person, not items that need to be carried. And please have your sister check with her pharmacist regarding exactly what "avoid the sun" means.

 

[disfan07]

avoid the sun usually just means limit time in the pool/sunbathing, beach, etc. Not so much the sun exposure at WDW.
I burn just by looking at the sun..lol. I am glow in the dark white and I am constantly on meds that say avoid sun exposure. I dont do anything different than i usually do and i never have any problems.

I would double check with the pharmacist about this if i were her. Also, please reconsider the umbrellas regardless of how small the yare. People have a tendency to not pay attention in disney and umbrellas are an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Gigi22]

Agreed with the PPs--your sister should definitely ask her pharmacist what sort of reaction she would have if exposed to the sun. If her pharmacy is like mine, they should be able to print out an information sheet for her. Also, she might want to check the name of the antibiotic on: http://www.mayoclinic.com

 

[KPeveler]

The odds of you being able to use the umbrellas where the sun is the strongest or where you will be in it the longest are not very good. I am thinking of parades... Even if the CMs let you keep them open in a crowd like that, then the people behind you will not be okay with it

Queues are generally indoors, so you won't have to worry there.

You will both do better with a wide brimmed hat than an umbrella. There will be no need to worry about crowds or other people's eyeballs...

 

[jlw29]

Please be vigilant about sunscreen and avoiding the sun as much as humanly possible! Make sure she reapplies sunscreen often as well. If the antibiotic is a cycline (ie doxycycline, tetracycline) they aren't kidding about sun avoidance. I remember one kid on doxy who was just playing outside all day on a partly cloudy day and came in to the ER that night with blistered sunburn, including sunburn on his eyeballs! (UV keratitis). You may want to get a GAC that allows waits out of the sun for the attractions that do have lines in the sun. And rethink the afternoon parade.

I second the long sleeve lightweight clothes and wide brimmed hat - with sunscreen underneath. It would be awful to have your trip ruined by a horrid sunburn!

Have a great trip!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

You might want to look for a wide-brimmed hat that has some sort of sun protection built in. I have a nice one from Sun'n'Sand brand that works very well. (I burn fairly easily these days and the day I bought it, I didn't burn on any of the areas under the hat despite having forgotten sunscreen and being out all day) I suspect the other brands of similar hats are also good. I don't know they'd be available at Disney, so you may want to order one now.

 

[thatkid]

I'm actually allergic to the sun and went to disney world on my wish trip- it was actually easy to stay in the shade because there's so many buildings- the worst park was epcot in the world showcase. You can get hawaiian tropic spf 70 sunscreen (if you have that brand?) It'll make her super pasty because of an ingredient but works really well. I wear capri's, shoes, a bucket hat and a long-sleeved t-shirt under my regular t-shirt. We went to the parks at opening, went back to GKTW from 12-4 then went back until closing time. Just be aware of where she is and how long she's in the sun, and avoid it as much as possible- The sun can actually kill me but i managed to avoid it enough and had a blast anyway!

 

[aubriee]

I'm actually allergic to the sun and went to disney world on my wish trip- it was actually easy to stay in the shade because there's so many buildings- the worst park was epcot in the world showcase. You can get hawaiian tropic spf 70 sunscreen (if you have that brand?) It'll make her super pasty because of an ingredient but works really well. I wear capri's, shoes, a bucket hat and a long-sleeved t-shirt under my regular t-shirt. We went to the parks at opening, went back to GKTW from 12-4 then went back until closing time. Just be aware of where she is and how long she's in the sun, and avoid it as much as possible- The sun can actually kill me but i managed to avoid it enough and had a blast anyway!

Neutrogena makes a Ultra Dry Touch spray and also a lotion that is spf 100. Being from the south, I always use the highest spf I can find and apply it frequently. I haven't burned in years.

To OP: I also work at a pschiatric hospital. Our patients are frequently on meds that say to avoid the sun. We just coat them with sunscreen anytime they go on an outing and they are fine. Be sure to use a good floppy hat and wear dark sunglasses to protect your eyes.