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Sun Allergies

My skin is very sensitive to sun. I have blue eyes & pale skin, and am allergic to sun. My allergy is 'awaken' only when I burn my skin when I am on the beach or a similar place that has no tree or house shadows. Then I feel a sudden, very strong and irresistable rash all over the place that has been burnt by the sun. I cannot concentrate on anything else except to rash. I am then scrubbing that area usually with the towel but as I rub more, the rash intensifies!! Then I feel as I am going to freak out, since I cannot do anything else except to rub. Please, can anyone tell me how to cope with this?
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A related discussion, skin allergies was started.
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I had no idea I had something in common with so many.  My rash
broke out after a morning of unprotected sun in the Caribbean.
The remaining vacation was marred by hiding from the sun (and
jokes accusing me of being an 'undead' person).  Cortisone cream
topically and Benydryl have worked on subsequent events. I vaguely recall an herb one can take for 30 days prior to vacation to prevent sunburn.  I'm also inclined to believe stress has
a major negative impact on a body and taking Vitamin B to counteract the stress.  At 45 I have just discovered an allergy to mold (a major problem since I live in Oregon, USA!)Does anyone know of an herbal preparation for sun?
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I also felt that the Dr. was quite insensitive to this problem.  I am a 48 year old Hispanic woman, fair skin, and green eyes.  I would tan and loved being in the sun, up until about 8-10 years ago.  I also break out in little bumps whereever the sun hits my skin.  I was wondering do any of you have egg allergies?  I developed an egg allergy around the same time and I always wondered if there was any connection.
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Avatar universal
I have a friend with a similar problem. She has spent the last few years getting a lot of sun. All of a sudden she has a terrible reaction to even the smallest amount of sunlight. It causes swelling around her mounth and itching. She consulted a doctor in Europe who talked about a treatment being studied at a university there. The treatment involves rebuilding your immune system with increased does of light. I have looked on the internet and found something called PUVA therapy which may be the same type of treatment. It may be worth checking out....I sympathize for you as I am a sun worshipper. Good luck to all of you with this terrible problem. I am going to check back to see if anything new shows up to help my friend!
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Avatar universal
The doctor has, obviously, never had this condition!  I, too, get a sun-reaction rash with tingling, burning, and itching beyond control, especially in the spring.  Feels like a million needle pricks at times, and scratching only makes it worse.  Mine previously occurred primarily in the spring, and as a child equated it with a reaction to spring-blossoming shrubs.  Wrong!  It is from sun exposure, and seems to lessen somewhat as summer progresses.  Recently, it seems to be lasting more of the year, and now every fall after there is no more sun exposed skin, a hive-like rash develops on my upper arms.  I try to use sunscreens, but they do wear off with extensive periods of yard work.  Wish someone had an answer.
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Avatar universal
I can't believe that there are so many of you out there.  I too have experienced the same thing.  My family vacationed in FL in May, and the last two days, I had to spend in the shade.  I was miserable for days.  The rash itched soooooo bad and nothing I tried would help.  The more I scratched, the more swollen the bumps became.  They were on my legs, arms and face.  The ones on my face lasted much longer.  My son got married in June and I had to cover my face with a ton of makeup so the bumps wouldn't show.  If any of you know how to prevent this, please post it on this site. As of now, no more trips to the beach!!!
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