Goddess Magazine Stories/Articles

I'm Allergic to the Sun! (June/July 2012)

 As I opened my e-mail to retrieve this month's assignments, I could not help but laugh at the irony of this one. Here I sit for the last two days, scratching ferociously, hoping I don't break skin, after a weekend of outdoor festivities in the sun. But this never happened to me; I believe as I got older, (especially over the last two years when I entered my 30's) I developed an allergy to the sun's rays. Even the shortest exposure to the sun, I itch uncontrollably down my face and neck and my forearms, causing even more redness on my skin. As if my already “rosy” cheeks weren't embarrassing enough! It lasts a couple days or until I go into the sun again. I can't just live indoors and the dark like those creepy kids from the movie The Others, it's the SUMMER!! I also can't help that I'd been born a ginger with very pale, sensitive skin and I start turning pink within five minutes of standing outside. Yup, I'm one of those who need 50+ SPF sunscreen when I go out there, so I share with my son, who has also been cursed with fair skin., thanks to my genetics. Still, sunscreen it doesn't help. Well, me, at least. So now what do I do?

I took to looking up different stages of “sun allergies” and found some very interesting stuff. . So we know that a sun allergy in which sunlight can set off a reaction to the skin. This can include an itchy red rash in the areas that were exposed to the sun, or even hives, blisters and other symptoms for more severe cases. There are also different types of sun allergies. They are called Polymorphic Light Eruption, Actinic Prurigo, Chronic Actinic Dermatitis and Solar Urticaria. Whew, that was brain twister!

Sun allergies are caused when ultraviolet rays trigger your skin cells. These changes confuse your immune system into thinking the proteins in your skin are harmful, thus causing the immune system to attack, in which the symptoms occur. Sun allergies can be hereditary or a Spring and Summertime thing or, for some, can happen in the Fall and Winter months. Secondly, certain chemicals in shampoos, lotions, fragrances and make-up or medications that can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so always read warning labels. People of certain ages and races are also more or less prone to sun allergies.

Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE), also known as sun poisoning and is the most common sun allergy. It can begin within minutes to several hours after being out in the sunlight. The reaction usually begins with bumps and itchy skin that look white or yellow against a red background. The skin can become red and swollen from inflamed blood vessels. PMLE can affects your neck, backs of the arms, and the face and hands, and symptoms generally fade within a few days. If you must be in the sunlight, be sure to keep the affected areas covered and protected from any more exposure, and be sure to use sunscreen. PMLE occurs mostly in Caucasians, and is most common in girls and women under the age of thirty, but there is a certain type that occurs in young men and boys.

Actinic Prurigo is mostly common in children and young adults. It can affect the cheeks, neck, ears, arms and hands, and symptoms are usually red raised areas of skin with itch bumps that can stretch to areas of skin that were not exposed to sunlight. It can caused chapped and cracked lips. Actinic Prurigo can begin in the summer months and improve by late fall. This type of sun allergy is prominently common amongst Native Americans.

Chronic Actinic Dermatitis causes patched of dry, inflamed and itchy skin on the face, scalp, all sides of the neck upper check, and the backs of arms, and sometimes on the hands and bottoms of the feet. Larger areas may have patches that are not affected. This usally affects older men who have prolonged sun exposure.

Solar Urticaria's symptoms also begin within moments of exposure to the sun and can include itching, hives and blisters. It can affect both exposed areas and even areas that are covered by clothing, and is most common in older adults and symptoms can begin to go away within an hour of covering exposed skin.

In most of the different sun allergies, when protected from sunlight, symptoms of affected areas of the skin will go away and generally will not leave any long-term complications, but, in some severe cases of Actinic Prurigo, people can be left with scarring.

If you noticed you have unusual reactions after sunlight exposure and have severe or persistent symptoms, it is best to see your doctor or a dermatologist who specializes in skin disorders. Upon preparing for your appointment, keep in mind that appointments may be short and there are many things to go over. Make a list of symptoms and any questions you may have, any stress you've recently had that may have triggered the skin allergy, and any medications you may be on. Also keep a journal of how long the symptoms lasted and what types of reactions you've had. You may have to have a few different types of test ran to diagnose sun allergies, such as: UV light testing, Photopatch testing and/or blood tests and skin samples must be drawn. Depending on the type of skin allergies will also determine if you will need medications and or prescription creams or even Ultraviolet light therapy.

With any exposure to the sun, be sure to wear sunglasses and protective clothing and always, always, always wear the appropriate sunscreen and try not to over do your time in the sun or especially tanning beds, where UV rays are closer to the skin. Be sure to limit your time in the sun, avoiding the hours between 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. when the sun is it's brightest.

Have no more fear of the sun! You can and will be able to enjoy the summertime without having to hide in the shadows!