{"id":59191,"date":"2023-07-10T11:36:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T15:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59191"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:38:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:38:20","slug":"prednisone-and-sun-exposure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prednisone-and-sun-exposure\/","title":{"rendered":"Does prednisone increase your sunburn risk?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prednisone<\/span><\/a> is a commonly used oral steroid prescription medication prescribed to treat inflammatory conditions like <\/span>arthritis<\/span><\/a> and autoimmune disorders.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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The corticosteroid medication<\/span> decreases your immune system’s response to various conditions and reduces swelling and allergic reaction symptoms. Doctors prescribe prednisone to treat multiple conditions, from blood disorders to breathing problems, cancer, eye infections, and severe poison ivy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone is a powerful medicine that can also cause side effects—some of which may make you more vulnerable to the summer sun and heat. <\/span><\/p>\n

So what does it mean for your summer plans when you’re taking prednisone? Do you have to avoid the sun entirely? And does prednisone increase your sunburn risk?<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Read on for doctor-backed tips to stay safe and cool without giving up your summer fun while taking your medication. <\/span><\/p>\n

Can you be in the sun at all while taking prednisone?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The good news is taking prednisone doesn’t mean that you have to spend your summer inside. You can still enjoy outdoor activities. While the steroid prescription drug is known for having a long list of <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a>, sun sensitivity is not one of them. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Sun exposure is not contraindicated when taking prednisone,” says Jacob Hascalovici, MD, chief medical officer of <\/span>Bliss Healthcare<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

That said, he recommends wearing sunblock during any prolonged sun exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does prednisone increase your sunburn risk?<\/span><\/h2>\n

While sun sensitivity is not a listed side effect, many people do report getting more sunburns while taking prednisone. <\/span><\/p>\n

Kelvin Fernandez<\/span><\/a>, MD, a resident physician at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in New Jersey and tutor for medical students at Ace Med Boards<\/a>, explains that the increased sensitivity that some people experience may be a secondary effect of some of the drug’s side effects. So while Dr. Fernandez affirms that people don’t need to avoid sun-exposure, he also warns that “prednisone can make your skin more likely to burn.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Fernandez explains that thinning of the skin, or <\/span>skin atrophy<\/span><\/a>, is a side effect of chronic steroid use that may make your skin more likely to experience a sunburn. “Prednisone can make your skin thinner over time, which means it’s less able to handle the sun’s rays.” <\/span><\/p>\n

And while the incidence of this side effect is more common over an extended period, it can happen in short-term prescriptions and low doses. <\/span><\/p>\n

Simply put, thinner skin is more fragile, so even if you don’t normally sunburn, this side effect can increase your chances of burning. <\/span><\/p>\n

Other side effects that prednisone can cause in the skin, which could potentially be confused for sunburn include developing a rash or a flushed face and skin discoloration in specific areas, including dark freckles. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your skin protected<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you enjoy your time in the sun, you need to <\/span>protect your skin against ultraviolet rays—especially while using prednisone. Here are a few tips:<\/span><\/p>\n