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Sometimes it’s just fun to bask in the winter or summer sun. However, having an allergic reaction to sunlight is never a good time. Sun allergies can occur as a result of
- Body’s immune system’s hypersensitivity to the sun on the skin
- Hereditary reasons (Actinic prurigo)
- Use of certain chemicals on the skin in various products such as cosmetics and perfumes (photoallergic reaction)
- Certain medications
Symptoms
Sun allergy is most common in the early summer and spring, when the weather changes. They are usually not dangerous, but they can be bothersome, unsightly, and cause severe discomfort. It usually manifests as rashes, blisters, or hives. Typically, the symptoms are mild, but if the discomfort worsens, professional treatment is required.
The most common symptoms are as follows:
Itchiness
• Scaling
• Bleeding
• Red patches or raised skin
• Hives
• Water filled blisters
• Swelling
• Dry skin
• Flaky skin
• Crusted bumps
Sun allergies usually start a few hours or few minutes after sun exposure.
Types
- PLE (Polymorphous light eruption): This condition causes rashes on the neck, chest, and arms as a result of prolonged sun exposure.
- Solar urticaria is a skin condition that causes hives with a burning and stinging sensation within minutes of sun exposure.
- Actinic prurigo: Although uncommon, this sun allergy causes small, itchy bumps on sun-exposed areas of skin. People who have eczema or atopic dermatitis are more prone to this type of allergy.
Diagnosis
It is simple to detect a sun allergy by looking at the symptoms, but doctors usually run some simple tests to help determine the cause of the allergic reaction.
• Photo patch test: A patch with common sensitizing substances is prepared. The patch is exposed to UV light before being placed on the person’s back and the reaction on the skin is observed. After 24 hours, the reaction is checked, and if there is a trigger, it is treated accordingly.
• Photo test: A small area of skin is exposed to UV light and tested for reaction to different wavelengths of UV light to determine which allergens are present.
• Blood tests and skin samples: These are performed when the doctor deems it necessary.
Treatment
The best way to treat and prevent a sun allergy is to avoid exposure to sunlight, but this is not always possible or even practical.
• Over-the-counter corticosteroid medications and prescription creams for treating skin outbreaks are common treatments for sun allergies.
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Phototherapy to increase sun ray resistance. You can also avoid sun allergy by taking some simple precautions, such as
• Avoid the sun during peak hours. • Use the proper sunscreen and reapply every 2-3 hours.
• If you have a photoallergic reaction, avoid using regular sunscreen and seek advice from your doctor.
• When going out, cover up any exposed skin and wear sunglasses. • Avoid triggers that cause allergy flare-ups.
