ICD and sun exposer

Sorry for all the questions. Questions and all the what if's are still running around my brain!

When I had my ICD implanted a couple of weeks ago the nurse mentioned that I shouldn't have the ICD exposed to the direct sun such as lying on a beach. Although I don't plan to spend countless hours sunbathing, I do typically go on beach type vacations such as Hawaii, etc.

The Medtronic web site says sun exposer is okay but I'd hate to have a problem while on vacation someplace. Is there a general rule as to how long my chest/ICD can be exposed to the direct sun? I realize I need to wait until the incision is fully healed.

I'm careful already because of sun exposer but not sure how big of a deal it is.

6 Comments

ICD

by BillH - 2016-04-09 08:04:13

Unless they put the ICD on the OUTSIDE of the skin I don't see how the sun can affect it.

That said fresh scares can be a little more sensitive to the sun. But you should be OK with reasonable care.

Sun

by Icuh8n - 2016-04-09 10:04:29

Beach umbrellas are good. Sun screen and swimming ohh man

she meant the scar

by Tracey_E - 2016-04-10 03:04:36

It's inside you, the sun doesn't go through skin. I'd be willing to bet she was talking about the scar, not the device itself. And that's really only for cosmetic reasons, scars that get sun don't heal as pretty as ones kept covered or slathered in sunscreen for the first year. After the first year, don't worry about it.

Sun Exposure

by Lurch - 2016-04-10 04:04:57

I live in Florida, about a mile from the beach. My doctor cleared me for water activities at about 6 weeks. He warned me that the incision site would burn a lot easier then the rest of my body and suggested some extra sunblock. I put on a good coating of sunblock and had no problems at all.

Sun exposer

by Drake3287 - 2016-04-10 05:04:21

Thanks, I wish she was a little clearer but I'll ask again when I go back for a routine check. I got the impression that extended direct sun exposer on the ICD (even under the skin!) might cause a problem.

Waiting until the incision is fully healed would be what I would be doing anyway. Either way, I don't spend countless hours in the direct sun without covering up or using an umbrella.

Read it again

by Icuh8n - 2016-04-12 05:04:47

Excuse me but I think she was referencing the effects of the sun in general. Im 100% sure

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