Should you get in tanning bed or sun light when taking prednisone?

Hello EP
As you may know I live in the UK and sun exposure whist on Prednisone is not contra-indicated. In addition I did a web search and I found from different web sites that a few people have asked the question of sun exposure and Prednisone and the response to this question is that it is OK. I also found an Australian patient information sheet published in 2011 advocating normal sun exposure whilst on Prednisolone with normal sun protection. I also searched DC and found nothing official. I also checked to see if someone had ever asked this question on DC. One person did and the response was it is OK with normal sun protection. That said I did find an oncology web site which advocated avoiding sunlight but It also said that it was OK if one wears factor 15 and above. Clearly the aim of DC is to give the questioner the correct answer to the best of our knowledge. So if you can show me where to find this information I would be very grateful.
Take Care

I spoke to my pharmacist today who also stated that Predisone and sunlight is fine. The caveat is if someone is also taking something like Doxycycline as well as Predisone. That said I have experienced this issue before with Amitripyline. In the UK hallucinations is listed as a side effect but in the US it is not.
Take care

Thanks for the feedback. As you know the tanning bed is a source of skin cancer. So it is never a good idea. As far as the prednisone and sun, I think it may depend upon what is being treated. I do agree that doxycycline and various antibiotics don't mix with the sun and one needs to be careful. Looks like I goofed big time. Probably the various other drugs I take are contributing to the nasty burn I can get in fifteen minutes. The thinning of the skin over long term use does make one more susceptible to sunburn. Mine is almost transparent now. Blood vessels look like a road map. Ha, ha.

Thanks for keeping track of me. I will have to see what the doctor thinks next time I go in. The dermatologist I saw a couple weeks ago felt the prednisone skin thinning meant stay out of the sun. So I will make sure I don't add it to people on short dose packs. Karen

Hello EP
Like I said we all provide information to the best of our knowledge. This is what you have been told and you may not be alone because like I said other people have asked this question; including the babs! Personally I have never come across this notion before. The sun bed advice is well heeded in the UK. Everyone self-tans all year round!
Take care EP :0)

Yes exactly. I am supersensitive to medications and Prednisone though it kept my husband alive longer it also ate his body away. So when my dr. prescribed it for recent arthritis onset (gout) I was unhappy.
I was only on oral doses twice daily for 3 days. There was no let down dosage advised for this short term, so after 3 days I stopped.
The first day off them I was occupied outdoors in the garden and got severe & unusual sunburn on my face and neck, also I was so tired I had to go to bed with continual headache and general feeling of illness. day 2 was much the same but now with extreme muscle weakness and pain. This is day 3 off the medication and I still have the burn, headache, pain & weakness.

Hello emerald. No sun when on prednisone. Tanning beds are even harder on the skin. And in general they should not be used. Tanning products are safer, vitamin D is needed to supplement diet.

I have a skin condition that has flared up badly. Lichen Planus has no cure but light therapy helps but I need prednisone to get some itching and burning relief.