topic Re: Sun Allergy in Wellness

Sun Allergy

Starpolisher — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 14:59:11 GMT

In my early 40's, I developed a sun allergy. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, whenever I was in direct sunlight, I would get a terrible rash. I didn't notice it much until night time when it would itch terribly, even in my scalp and felt as though my fingernails were jagged when I scratched it. In later years, I was prescribed medication for depression for a short while. I remember the doctor saying, as a side bonus, it would help my sun allergy as it had a lot to do with stress. It did help! I no longer had the allergy. When I stopped the medication, I still didn't get the allergy. Now years later, I'm 67 and this darn sun allergy has returned! It's so frustrating! Just wondered if anyone else has this and how you manage it?

Re: Sun Allergy

cactusgal — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 15:09:25 GMT

When my mother was alive she would always get a rash when she was in the sun. She was finally diagnosed with having Lupus.

Re: Sun Allergy

Sweetbay magnolia — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 15:10:44 GMT

You know, I worked every day outside for many years. Toward the end of it I started blistering after hours and hours in the sun. It wasn't a burn - it was a reaction.

I now wear long sleeves, a collar, and a hat, and sometimes a "Buff" scarf around my neck. I try to limit my exposure, though I spend lots of times outdoors. I have learned that I am cooler when I cover up instead of allowing the sun to blare on my skin. Just wear a breathable fabric. It's like being in the shade of a tree.

Re: Sun Allergy

Mindy D — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 16:24:31 GMT

@Starpolisher @There are four or five types of sun allergy or reactions. Knowing which type you have would go a long way into getting you some help.

polymorphous light eruption Pictured in images in my next post in this thread.

actinic pruigo

solar urticaria

photo allergic reaction

rash in lupus

Re: Sun Allergy

On It — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 15:18:38 GMT

@Starpolisher It is easy to forget the skin is an organ. I had an itchy rash problem misdiagnosed by my primary care physician. He eventually referred me to a dermatologist who gave me the correct diagnosis and treatment. A months long issue was resolved in a few days. Therefore, my recommendation is see a dermatologist for skin problems just as you would see a cardiologist for heart problems. Hopefully, he will have a simple answer to your question and can provide effective treatment.

Re: Sun Allergy

Mindy D — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 16:26:15 GMT

These are all images of polymorphous light eruption.

Re: Sun Allergy

Mindy D — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 16:36:14 GMT

Have you heard about this?

Re: Sun Allergy

GenXmuse — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 19:48:03 GMT

I have a sun allergy and it was one of my first symptoms before I was diagnosed with autoimmune disease. (Dermatomyocytis)

Re: Sun Allergy

Starpolisher — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 20:11:46 GMT

Thanks everyone! Calling my Dermatologist for an appointment on Monday!

Re: Sun Allergy

chrystaltree — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 21:14:38 GMT

I worked with a girl many who had a sun allergy. She took medication for the itching and to help with the huge red marks but her allergy did not just disappear. Not while I knew her. I worked with her for about 7 years, she'd had the allergy since her teens. I remember she said it got worse as she got older. She covered up, wore long sleeves and pants all the time. She couldn't sit near windows that let the sun in.. Once she wore a skirt and had big red welts on her legs just from walking from our office to a near by restaurant. She had a good attitude about it but it was a big challenge. I remember she worried that her son would develop it.

Re: Sun Allergy

Drythe — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 23:55:31 GMT

@Starpolisher wrote:
Thanks everyone! Calling my Dermatologist for an appointment on Monday!

@Starpolisher

Would you mind sharing what medication helped you?

Re: Sun Allergy

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 11:17:16 GMT

@GenXmuse

I have similar issues which no doctors have ever given me diagnosis, or help. Are you on a medication now and is your condition under control? Thank you!

Re: Sun Allergy

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 11:24:07 GMT

I have issues with undiagnosed rashes which seem to be associated with both heat and/or sun exposure. I can get this rash whether I am in the sun or inside. It seems to have something to do with my body perceiving me as being over-heated in some way. I get these little red dots, which then get larger and spread out and turn into flat red areas which could even spread as times goes on. They also itch and get hot as well. I can't even wear socks any more besides the very short ones because the socks cause my ankles and legs to heat up and then give me a rash! I have been to so many doctors of so many kinds and they have no idea. It has really caused limitations on my life and what I can do. I have had this for over 35 years.

Re: Sun Allergy

GenXmuse — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:09:17 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
@GenXmuse

I have similar issues which no doctors have ever given me diagnosis, or help. Are you on a medication now and is your condition under control? Thank you!

It's a lot better now though I still have to be pretty careful. I'm on hydrochloroquine and cell-cept and it's really helped. It took a long time to get my diagnosis and to find the best treatment. I have a good rheumatologist who has really been proactive in improving my quality of life.
I went to a major medical teaching university for dermatology and rheumatology and I'd recommend that if you have one in your area since they're all about digging deeper to gain a better understanding of medical conditions.

I hope you find some answers and get to the bottom of all this, you poor thing. That doesn't sound fun at all.

Re: Sun Allergy

Starpolisher — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 17:24:17 GMT

@Drythe wrote:
@Starpolisher wrote:
Thanks everyone! Calling my Dermatologist for an appointment on Monday!
@Starpolisher

Would you mind sharing what medication helped you?

@Drythe

I hesitated to answer your question because Anxiety/anti-depressants can have the side affects of making skin more sun sensitive. However, in my case I swear it alleviated the problem! The medication was Zoloft.

**Update**

I went to see my dermatologist yesterday. She said she thought it was just sunburn but did a punch biopsy to tell for sure. I go back in two weeks to get the stitches removed and get results!🤞🏼 I'm Black-Puerto Rican with an olive complexion. Other than this and the other episode in my 40's, I've always tanned very easily, gotten very brown with lots of reddish highlights in my brown hair from the sun. Never sunburned! That's why this is so worrisome to me! 🤔

Re: Sun Allergy

CritterKeeper — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 18:31:14 GMT

On the flipside: my husband is allergic to cold (called Cold urticaria). If he puts his hands in cold water (like using the hose) or shovels snow, he MUST take a Zyrtec or Benedryl or he breaks out in a terrible rash.

Re: Sun Allergy

Drythe — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:37:17 GMT

@Starpolisher wrote:
@Drythe wrote:
@Starpolisher wrote:
Thanks everyone! Calling my Dermatologist for an appointment on Monday!
@Starpolisher

Would you mind sharing what medication helped you?
@Drythe
I hesitated to answer your question because Anxiety/anti-depressants can have the side affects of making skin more sun sensitive. However, in my case I swear it alleviated the problem! The medication was Zoloft.
**Update**
I went to see my dermatologist yesterday. She said she thought it was just sunburn but did a punch biopsy to tell for sure. I go back in two weeks to get the stitches removed and get results!🤞🏼 I'm Black-Puerto Rican with an olive complexion. Other than this and the other episode in my 40's, I've always tanned very easily, gotten very brown with lots of reddish highlights in my brown hair from the sun. Never sunburned! That's why this is so worrisome to me! 🤔

@Starpolisher

I appreciate your concern and caution with sharing pharmacological information. I was curious due to personal experience, but not shopping! 😃

With overexposure to sun I get tiny red, itchy bumps which my Mom & Grandma called ‘sun poisoning’. I am Olive completion - Mediterranean French, also red highlights in my hair. With Ice & Calamine Lotion they lesson a bit and eventually go away. Also allergic to PABA in sunscreen, which causes large welts.

Good Luck to you.

Re: Sun Allergy

Starpolisher — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 20:47:54 GMT

@Drythe

Thank you! I wish you the same! 🤗

Re: Sun Allergy

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:55:53 GMT

@GenXmuse

Thank you for your kind reply -- I appreciate it! I am glad you are getting some help and relief from your issues. I sought help every place that I could. I live in a very small country area and there is not much around here. To travel around the country is too burdensome for both DH and I, as we both have other health issues and we really have no close relatives to help us with these things.

Re: Sun Allergy

Starpolisher — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 20:14:22 GMT

***UPDATE***

I got the results back from my punch biopsy. I have Spongiotic dermatitis. It's closely associated with atopic dermatitis or eczema, which I had from childhood to my early 30's. It is a widespread condition involving inflammation of the skin and is caused by allergies. In my case due to Sun exposure. So happy it wasn't anything more serious! Doctor just recommended more Sun exposure and a good sunscreen. I'll see which sunscreen she recommends when I have my sutures removed on Tuesday. I usually only wear it on my face(don't want to get brown spots) but will now cover all exposed areas. I rarely go out in the sun for any length of time but now when the grands visit, I'm spending more time outside. Thanks for the replies and concern! 🌞🤗