Allergy to the Sun

This is worth a shot:

http://www.avicenna.co.uk/testimonials/polymorphic-light-...

I've actually had a sun allergy for most of my life, so I know the annoyance you are going through. Once we went on holiday and I got it so badly that strangers on the street were suggesting I go to hospital because I was so bright red and bumpy. Charming.

Here's what I've found:
1) Sunscreens matter. Some sunscreens work to prevent the rash, some don't. Unfortunately, it is pretty much trial and error. I've found that the natural sunscreens seem to do a better job as many of them rely on a physical barrier (like zinc oxide) as well as a chemical one. Yes, they cost more and many do leave a white film on your skin, but I'd rather have a white film for a couple hours than a rash for a couple weeks. It also helps to buy a daily lotion with SPF and use it all the time on face, arms and hands to help limit reactions. Oil of Olay makes a really nice facial one that I use on my hands and arms as well.

2) Sun protective clothing is key. Hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants. You can get very light weight and comfortable kinds at most sporting goods stores. I've had luck at REI finding several that work well for me. Sun protective clothing is still sun protective when wet. If you are not going to get wet, regular cotton, linen, or twill clothing will work fine. Wide brim, round hats will help shield your chest as well as face and shoulders.

3) Shade. Okay, so maybe that seems obvious, but it really does help. When I take my DD to the park, I try to sit or stand in the shade. I may look a little weird sitting in the grass when all the other moms are on a bench, but it helps.

4) Time of day. The sun is strongest 10-2. I find that if I avoid going out during that time, I'm less likely to get a rash.

5) Try to be aware of when you are in the sun. I used to have a problem with my arms until I realized I kept resting my arm on the open window in my car when driving. I now have tinted car windows and use the AC between 10 and 2. I also used to love to sit in the sun indoors and read, and couldn't figure out why my sun was so sensitive. Now I am much more aware.

6) Build up gradually. I find that if I really want to spend a long time in the sun, I can get to it by spending slowly longer periods in the sun every day for several weeks. I have to start out small, like 5 minutes. The next day, 7 minutes...so on and so forth. I guess it is sort of like allergy shots. Give a very small amount, not enough to trigger the reaction, and allow your body to build up.

Once you have the rash, I've found that there is no a lot that can be done to make it go away much faster. Steroidal creams help, as does cortizone cream, but I find they do not help enough to make them worth using. Cool baths, sometimes with baking soda or oatmeal, help the rash feel better, but not go away faster. Cool compresses do the same. Prevention is the #1 thing, as once I have a rash it really lingers and ANY sun on the rash will make it worse.

Hi T.,

I don't know if that is what I have because I have never been into the doctor when it happens, but my symptoms sound super similar. It only started after I had my daughter 8 years ago. I get these horrible red, itchy, bumpy spots on my legs and arms and they last for about a week and are so itchy and painful. I have tried everything also, nothing really seems to help, until I was at the Farmer's Market last Saturday. This woman had a natural insect repellant and she said it also soothes the itch if you did get a bug bite. I asked her if it would help my leg as I had two patches that were inflamed. She sprayed it on and almost immediately the itchiness and pain went away. I have been spraying it on everyday since and the spots were gone by Thursday. I have started to get new spots but then they are going away when I spray them. It is made with witch hazel, tea tree oil and lavender oil. Her name is Karen Megel; her
website is ____@____.com; and her phone number is ###-###-####. It was $10.00 for a four ounce bottle and has been worth the money, for sure!

Hope that helps!

Hi T., I don't really have a lot of suggestions but I did want to let you know that you are not alone. I have the same reaction to exposure to the sun and it is very irritating. Pretty much any skin that is exposed to the sun for more than a few minutes gets a horribly itchy rash. I haven't tried any prescriptions but coritzone 10 seems to help with the itching. I use a very strong sun screen if I am going to be in the sun for any length of time which seems to reduce the amount of rash I get. Sometimes it is very embarrasing when people look at my arms and see the rash and when they ask about it and I say I am allergic to the sun they look at me like I am weird.