Taking care of your transplant health —and you! —may seem to be a lot, but you’ve got this!
It is important to understand how being on anti-rejection medications can affect your health. You have routine care with your Primary Care Provider (PCP), and you will also need regular check-ups with other providers for your skin and bone health, dental care, and vision.
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As you take on more responsibility for your transplant care, building a few simple habits can help you stay strong, healthy, and confident. Here are more details with tips and skill-building ideas about your health so you can take charge and handle your healthcare like a pro.
Protecting your skin after transplant
People who have had a transplant have a higher chance of getting skin cancer. Here are some simple steps you can take to help protect your skin:
- Stay in the shade as much as possible, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest.
- Don’t get sunburned!
- Use sunscreen when you are outside. Choose one that says “broad-spectrum” and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
- Cover all your skin that is showing with a generous amount of sunscreen.
- If you are swimming, sweating, or outside for a long time, reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours.
- Cover up your skin. Wear long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and clothing that says “UV protection.”
- Avoid tanning and do not use tanning beds.
- Check your skin from head to toe once a month. Contact your PCP or dermatologist if you see any new spots or changes.
- See a Dermatologist (skin doctor) at least once a year for a full skin check to monitor for skin cancer.
Keeping Your Bones Strong
Since you have had a transplant, you are at risk for your bones to become weak (less dense) because of the medicines that help protect your transplanted organ. The good news is there’s a lot you can do to keep your bones strong and healthy into your adult life:
- Stay active. Do weight-bearing or muscle-strengthening exercises like walking, jogging, dancing, or lifting light weights. These help build strong bones.
- Eat well. A balanced diet with calcium and Vitamin D helps keep your bones healthy. Your doctor may suggest a vitamin D supplement if your level is low. Your transplant team usually checks your Vitamin D level with blood tests every year.
- Avoid smoking, vaping and alcohol. These substances can weaken your bones over time.
- Get your bones checked. Your doctor may order a DEXA scan (a special X-ray) every one to three years to see how strong (dense) your bones are.
- In addition to your transplant team, talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about your bone health and any supplements or lifestyle changes that can help.
Keeping your teeth healthy
The medications that you take to prevent rejection suppress (or weaken) how well your immune system works to fight infections. So, if you get an infection in your gums or have an infected (abscessed) tooth, this can become more serious. Taking good care of your teeth and gums is important for your overall health.
Here are some strategies for your dental health:
- Brush your teeth every morning and before going to bed and floss every day. This dental care routine keeps your teeth and gums healthy and helps prevent infection.
- See your dentist and dental hygienist every 6 months to have your teeth cleaned and to check your dental and gum health.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks like candy and soda. Sugary foods can cause cavities and tooth decay.
- Watch for changes in your mouth. If you notice white patches on your tongue that don’t brush off or if you have pain when swallowing, tell your transplant team. These could be signs of a fungal infection called thrush (candidiasis).
Taking care of your eyes
Your eyes are an important part of your overall health! After a transplant, some of the medicines that protect your transplanted organ can raise your risk for eye problems. Keep up on your vision health by:
- Getting regular eye exams. Schedule visits with an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) at least once a year even if your vision seems fine.
- Paying attention to changes in how well you see. If you notice blurry vision, eye pain, or changes in how you see colors or lights, tell your PCP right away.
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