A sun allergy, like other allergies, is an immune system reaction but in this case it is a reaction to the sun. The most typical symptom is a red, itchy rash that can develop after only a couple minutes of exposure. What happens is a change occurs in the sun affected skin which causes the immune system to think that the affected skin is a foreign component. Then the body reacts by fighting it like it would any other foreign matter. Currently scientists are not sure why some people have sun allergies and others do not, but some evidence states that they may be inherited.
The most common type of sun allergies is Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) which occurs in approximately ten to fifteen percent of people in the United States alone. It is so common that after a sunburn, it is the most typical of all skin problems. PMLE is characterized by a red rash on the skin that has been exposed to the sun, but the reaction may vary slightly from person to person. The symptoms rarely show up during the cold winter months, but usually start to peak in the springtime when sun exposure starts. As the warmer summer months progress the allergic reaction will become less frequent, mainly as the person goes through a desensitization process where their skin becomes more used to the sun. This process will last through the rest of the calendar year, with this mild sun allergy showing up again the following spring. Using sun protection like sun block, hats, and clothing is an important step in limiting one's allergic reaction if they have PMLE. Should you develop a mild reaction you can try applying a cold compress on the affected area, or misting your skin with cool water from a spray bottle. If your symptoms are more severe your doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine or an anti-itch skin cream containing cortisone. Should this treatment not work your physician may also have you try phototherapy, where your skin is repeatedly exposed to UV in small doses to build up your tolerance to the sun.
Photoallergic Eruption is an allergy that is caused by a certain chemical that has been applied to the skin, and that chemical's reaction to sunlight. The chemical could be part of sunscreen, perfume, or other cosmetics that have been applied to an area that received sun exposure. Sometimes prescription medications like antibiotics or phenothiazines can cause a photoallergic eruption, or perhaps even an oral contraceptive. Scientists are learning more and more about these types of allergies each year and the many things that can cause them. The most common treatment of it is to simply stop using the offending product but this may take a little work by you and your doctor, as it is not always apparent what is causing the reaction. Most of the time when you cease using the product your symptoms will go away, but the symptoms can also be treated with a corticosteroid cream.
Solar Urticaria is a more rare sun allergy described as chronic hives brought on by exposure to sunlight. It typically affects younger women and is the most likely allergic condition to become a long-term problem. Like other sun allergies people with solar urticaria experience redness, itching, and hives on the area of the skin that received exposure. It sometimes can be confused with a sunburn but the difference is with solar urticaria the reaction will be very quick, usually within minutes of being in the sun and the symptoms subside much quicker as well. Treatment includes antihistamines or the application of steroid creams like hydrocortisone, but can also include oral steroids like prednisone if the symptoms are severe. An allergist can also perform a certain therapy to desensitize the skin with multiple exposures to sunlight, but this remedy will be at the discretion of your doctor or allergist.
Sun allergies are your body's reaction to exposure to sunlight. While they are not as serious as skin cancer disease they still can cause problems if the symptoms are serious enough. Depending on which allergy you have there are many different remedies for you to try to help minimize the effect of the reaction. Limiting your exposure to the sun, especially right after the winter months when you have had little exposure is essential to avoiding an allergic reaction. You should always discuss your condition with your doctor or allergist. Following a few steps each year can go a long way in easing your intolerance to the sun's rays.
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