Sun Allergies

[Milan2]

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?

[B]

Question:  Again, I experience rashes, but does anyone else have a weakened immune system due to some other factor?  I'm not looking for specifics, but just looking for a pattern.

[Dawn]

Dear Doc,

There IS a rash that IS result of the sun for various people, and I am one of them.  I developed it back in the 80's after laying in the sun, as I had throughout my whole life, and then developed a rash all over the areas that had been exposed to the sun.  BACK THEN they said they knew it was a sun allergy, and the rash I experienced, and still experience from time to time, did worsen when rubbed.  For you to tell this person that they were paranoid or obsessed, or whatever, seems to me to be quite highly unprofessional, and arrogant.  I no longer want to seek information from this website after reading your answer.  Why is it that so many doctors act as if they have all the answers.  The strange thing is that I have seen many other people develope these rashes this woman has described, why haven't you?  HMMM.....

[Donna]

I have a question. I went to a Dr. who said I'm allergic to the sun. I'm wondering if my  legs are covered with
long pants can my legs still break out if my chest is
exposed to the sun and breaks out?

Donna
***@****

[LW]

Milan and others,

Like many of you I experience the same reaction after being exposed to the sun. It started four years ago during winter! At first I thought I was sunburnt, but soon realised it was a different, distinctive reaction to the sun. Usually it appears on exposed skin, but can also occur under clothing, or even sitting under fluorescent lighting. My skin starts to feel strange, a warm boiling sensation which turns into a terrible urge to itch, then hives appear. The skin

[patricia]

My 12 year old daughter was just diagnos with polymorphous light eruptions.(sun allergy.) She was only 7 years old when they started with little bumps that look like blisters. For 5 years the doctors have been treating it as Atopic dermatitis until we finally found a good derm at a Unversitity that has a program called Grand Rounds. That where about 20 or more dermatologist come in at look at the skin then decide what would be the best treatment.I know exactly what you people are going through my daughter itch so bad.I would try everything to keep her from scracthing.Were still new to this new diagnos condition so her new derm is working with us to get her cleared up.My advise is to find a really good dermatologist at a Unversitity>Good luck.

[Anita T.]

I too am allergic to the sun.  Mainly on my arms, neck and face.  I have had this problem for the past 20 years or so.  I have managed to help the situation by applying suncreen all over my arms neck and face before going outside.  This helps extremely well.  Once I forgot and was out in the sun and my arms puffed up from swelling so bad and I had small pustule bumps all over my arms including redness and itching.  I too applied hydrocortisone 1% 3 times a day.  It took about one week to completely heal.  Because of my discomfort with the sun I really and trully hate the summer months.  I prefer cloudy days at which time I don't have a problem.  I believe more people are becoming allergic because of the whole in our ozone layer which is causing more dangerous sun rays to come in contact with us.  Wishing all could get better.