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?

[Ruth Pomplin]

Thanks so much for all of you who wrote in about your sun rashes! The blisters are a yearly thing for me for about the past 5 years. The only things I know have changed are the following:
I had shingles and was treated with a prescription that said to stay out of the sun for two years after. I did, but when I returned to being outdoors I got the rashes.
I also now have fibromyalgia.
I wonder if the immune system function has something to do with all this? I also heard taking Lysine before going out in the sun plus sunscreen to build up a slow tan is very helpful. I am olive complected and have never had trouble with the sun before. This is definitely hard to get used to. If anyone has any other things that may help or have had a doctor truly explain what's going on, please keep the information coming!

[sue]

This rash sounds just like the one I have from the sun, I have found no over the counter medications help..one drugest thougt I had chicken pox....every summer..I do not think so..The best thing I have found so far for the itch and to dry up the blisters is calomine lotion..good luck

[Cathy]

I have suffered from sun rashes since the age of 10. I just came back from vacation in Moab, UT. The UV index was through the roof, and I got one of the worst occurances of all time! I went to see my Dr. yesterday, who prescribed a strong topical steroid. It seems to be working. The steroids come in varying strengths. If you don't get results, you should try asking for a higher dosage.

I completely understand and sympathize with those driven crazy by the itch: it's really hard not to scratch it. I find myself itching it without even realizing I'm doing it.

[Erin]

I have a severe reaction/allergy to the sun also.  People think its crazy but thankfully my Dr didn't think so.  I was told that the sun triggers a reaction that makes my immune system go kaput and I get the blisters, flu like symptoms, and worst of all the fever blisters.  My lips are usually covered with blisters that turn into scabs which itch like crazy.  BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION.  I take zoviraz in the pill form and then also the ointment for my lips (whicht has also helped the blisters on my shoulders and face heal much faster)also zovirax.  Since I have found this out about 4 years ago I CAN go out into the sun again (with medication on hand,SPF 45 sunscreen, and a hat).  Our body's react differently to differnt medications and allegeries, but I suggest you ask your Dr.

[kym]

First: you are not insane.  Second: Go to your Dermatologist.  I have the same thing.  I was terribly burned 4 years ago and have had to stay out of the sun.  This year was the first year I was allowed back out.  I slowly built up my tolerance with sunscreen and got a discoid white flaky rash over my arms, legs and tops of my feet.  I saw my family MD who diagnosed it as a "discoid" allergic reaction but with an unknown allergen.  He blamed it on soap and left it at that.  He prescribed a topical steriod and have a nice day.  Thing is: it didn't work.  Neither did hydrocortisone 1% OTC, or Benadryl 50mg.  I wound up with another rash, this time red, bumpy and itchy like crazy on my face (forehead and left side).  I finally went to a dermatologist yesterday.  He took one look at me and knew right away.  I am undergoing treatment with DiproleneAF at .05% three times a day and after one dose it is helping.  He told me to avoid the sun, long sleeves and hat and the whole nine yards, no sun if I could help it.  Although there are sunscreens, he said for my case it would not be enough, since I was exhibiting signs of 2 types of sun allergy.  He said it is a systemic reaction to the UV.  Take heart, you guys!  There is treatment.  SEE A DERMATOLOGIST!!!  But living without the sun wont be easy.  Best of luck to all of you.

[B]

I first developed the sun rash about 13 years ago.  It is the most intense, painful rash imaginable.  Recently though, instead of this rash, I have developed little blisters that look like spider bites.  They don't itch, but they hurt.  Has anyone experienced anything like this?  Does anyone know how to make them go away?  I have to admit that these bite-like sores are many times better than the rash, though.  The rash may still occur with a sunburn- I've tried to avoid the sun as much as possible this summer.