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?

[Laura]

Dear Fellow-sun rash victims,
I too have just come back from Cancun with an awesome tan but i ITCH ALL OVER. My face itches,my arms my inside of my legs. When will this go away? Does this also sound like sun itching?It feels so good to scratch but it just makes it worse and then they inflame. If I leave them alone they aren't as bad.It almost looks likwe tiny blisters on the ones I 've scratched the most.Do I need to go to the Doctor?   Thanks very worried

[Terri]

I AM 39 AND HAVE BEEN A SUN WORSHIPER ALL MY LIFE.  ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO I SUNBURNED MY UPPER BACK.  AFTER THE SUNBURN TONED DOWN I STARTED TO DEVELOP THE SAME KIND OF ITCHY SORES YOU ALL HAVE TALKED ABOUT.  I THOUGHT IT WAS ACNE AT FIRST, BUT IT ITCHED TOO MUCH FOR THAT.  I HAVE TRIED TO DRY UP THE SORES WITH PEROXIDE AND ALCOHOL.  BY THE NEXT MORNING THEY ARE PUFFED BACK OUT AGAIN.  NOT ONLY DO THEY ITCH, BUT THEY ARE ALSO QUITE PAINFUL.  I HAVE TRIED NEOSPORIN, IT DOES HELP WITH THE PAIN, BUT IT DOESN'T GET RID OF THEM.  WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

[B]

Milan2- I have the same exact reaction to the sun.  Nothing helps the rash, and as I continue to scratch it, the itching intensifies exponentially.  Dr. Rockoff was not very sympathetic to our problem- it is not in your head.  I understand how you cannot think of anything else.  I have never had pain/itching as bad as when I am in the sun.  I get hives and it is only getting worse as the years progress.  When I have the rash, it is such intense pain and itching that I can think of or do nothing but tend to it.  It is horrible and no doctor has ever been able to help.  No over the counter medicine (including any topical lotion or benedril pills, etc.) has been able to help.  Try lightly rubbing the rash with your hand instead of scratching. That seems to help a bit.
This condition does exist though. It is not in your head.  I understand the complete hysteria that can result from such painful and unrelenting itching.  
Dr. Rockoff- It is impossible to stop worrying.  When your entire body is engulfed in a painful, itchy rash that only gets worse when you scratch it, and it is so intense you must scratch it, worrying is natural.  NO OVER-THE-COUNTER medications help.  Nothing.  Maybe a new skin condition has evolved because Milan2 is not the only person suffering from it.

[gwen harris]

I also break out in rash when exposed to sun, then a few days later they fester up and itch like the devil. I went to a Dr. several years ago and was tested for Lupus. No Lupus thank goodness. No answer either except a combination of diuretic and sun. I was going to ask the good Dr. but will forgo since you got no helpful information.

[FragLord]

Michelle,

  Your case sounds horrible!!!! This is insane?! I have sun poisoning, something which is extremely weird considering that im Argentinian and dark skinned. This whole business of sun reactions is really shocking! WHATS WRONG WITH THE WORLD!? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING ALL OF A SUDDEN???

Eddie M.
(FragLord)

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Milan:

I hope my reply will not offend you, but what you are describing sounds much more like an obsession than a skin or sun reaction.  There is no sun rash I know of which produces symptoms like the ones you describe.  On the other hand, if you rub an area as vigorously as you say you do, the skin will of course become red and inlamed and itchier.

My suggestion:

1. Stop worrying!
2.  Apply Sarna lotion (OTC) whenver you feel the urge to scratch.
3. If you can't stop thinking about this, show your skin to a dermatologist just to rule out some other skin problem (though I can't imagine any in particular), and then perhaps a psychiatrist to help you sort out any other issues which may be troubling you.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff