Sun bed - to use or not???

[Lynzilove]

I'm not really sure about using them, and have not done so since I found out I was pregnant.

However, I suffer with quite bad eczema which really benefits from once a week/fortnight short sun bed session. really clears it up! Since falling pregnant my eczema has flared up terribly - creams dont seem to work particuarly well and am thinking about going bakc on sun bed - just for 3 mins or so once a week, until skin clears up.

Whats peoples thoughts, I'm kind of undecided.

I'd ask your GP, i know that light treatment can be advised for bad skin conditions but not sure if that extends to sunbeds. I would have thought it is a no go when pregnant but your midwife or gp would know for certain.

Hmmm thanks the Docs probably wouldn't count it as extreme but its driving me nuts!! Seeing midwife in a week or so so may ask(if I remember!!)

Sorry, but I'm absolutely amazed that you are even asking .... I think normal sunbathing, within reason and using a good high sun factor is OK (am going on holiday myself tomorrow) but a sunbed surely is going too far. I have gotten some adult acne since being pregnant and it is very annoying and unfortunate, but I feel its just something I have to put up with.

Why wouldn't you? I've never heard that sunbeds were bad for baby? It's not like having an x-ray. Or am I missing something? I'd find out out Lynz - you really don't want 9 months of eczema if you can avoid it. I was wondering about sunbeds for vitamin D - if I find anything out I'll let you know.

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/956.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=131

In case the link doesn't work:
Pregnant women often find that their skin is more sensitive than usual. If you use a sunbed when you?re pregnant, your skin may therefore be more likely to burn.
Damage from UV rays

Sunbeds give out ultraviolet (UV) rays, the same type of harmful radiation found in sunlight. Getting a tan using a sunbed is not safer than tanning in the sun. In some cases, sunbed use can be more harmful. Many sunbeds give out greater doses of UV rays than the midday Mediterranean sun.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays increases your risk of developing malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
UV rays can cause your skin to burn and prematurely age it. UV rays can also damage your eyes by causing problems such as irritation, conjunctivitis or cataracts, particularly if you don?t wear goggles.
For more information, go to Are sunbeds safe?
Sensitive skin and pregnancy

Lots of women find their skin is more sensitive during pregnancy. This means your skin may be more likely to burn in the sun or if you use a sunbed.
Changing hormone levels will also make you more prone to skin pigmentation (colouration). Dark, irregular patches of skin called chloasma sometimes appear on your face. This can be a sign that your skin will react more strongly to UV rays. If you sunbathe or use a sunbed, the dark patches are likely to increase.
Your unborn baby

There is currently no clear evidence about the effect of UV rays from sunbeds on an unborn baby.
Some studies show that there may be a link between increased UV rays and a folic acid deficiency. This is because UV rays can break down folic acid.
Folic acid is very important in the development of the baby's neural system (brain and spinal cord), which is formed during weeks 1-13 of pregnancy.

So maybe you need to use suncream - and have extra folic acid. But if you don't go mad on the sunbed it looks as though it's fine.

i think 3-5 mins every now and then won't hurt... i met a midwife who said that sunbathing topless would help prepare my nipples for breastfeeding (i didn't really ask how or where i can do this in central london besides a tanning shop ). hope your eczema goes away soon!

minibmw2010 that was a bit harsh! If you knew the misery eczema can cause perhaps you'd be a bit less judgemental. Not the same as a bit of acne at all.

I think the reason they say avoid sunbeds during pregnancy is due to the heat, but am sure someone will come along and correct me ;)

Hope it clears up soon anyway.

I sympathise with eczema, my DH suffers badly and I am sure you know you shouldnt be using them and particularly not when pregnant. I was in Portugal in May during my last pregnancy and I burnt quite badly in moderate sun. Im not a sun worshiper and wasnt lying out but your skin is super sensitive when pregnant.

Also its dangerous to overheat

As my dermatologist said 'there's no such thing as a safe tan'. Is it really worth the risk? Only you can decide that but as a survivor of skin cancer I would advise against it. xxxx

thanks for your advice - i'll have a chat to gp/midwife.

mumbot - I appreciate the risks of skin cancer but i have never used sun beds for a tan, the only reason has been to try and manage my eczema.

I've suffered terribly with eczema and found it flared up with pregnancy :( feel your pain

I used cammomile roman oil at the lowest dilutant in an almond base rubbed on the skin worked also cammomile and lavender in the bath and cammomile tea bags too. If you can bear drinking the tea bags its not a bad idea !

over time i found these more reliable than the steroid creams but it may depend on why you are prone to eczema in the first place

mine was on my eyelids, neck and arms and made me so miserable

My personal opinion... whether pregnant or not, whether using it for a tan or to control eczema.... sun beds are never a good idea. But if you have no issues taking the risk when not pregnant, then I can't see any reason why it would be any worse when you are.