Polymorphic Light Eruption - help

[user1496146479]

Hi there
Just wondering if anyone on here suffers with PLE and who can recommend any UV clothes/rash vests etc that don't look like winter tops?!
Thanks

I suffer from it, but live in NE & currently working from home so unless I’m abroad, I don’t get eruptions.

The best cream I have found & that works for me is www.eucerin.co.uk/products/sun-protection/sun-creme-gel-sun-allergy-protect-spf-50

I've had it for years and manage to control it to some extent by:

Limiting exposure when the sun first appears, 10 minutes a day max for a good few weeks.
Taking an antihistamine every day from March through to September.
Not using any susncreen with oxybenzone in
If I'm at the beach, here or abroad I wear long sleeve high necked rash vests, for some reason the reaction is triggered much more by being on the beach - higher UV reflection levels maybe?
Carry on with some exposure even if it flares up
Don't ever scratch

I just get rash vests from anywhere, decathlon mostly.

I like piz buin sensitive factor 30. Getting old helps too.

I also use Piz Buin Allergy Factor 50. Touch wood, I haven't suffered since using that, even when out in the sun sailing all day. P20 was useless!

Thanks. Find that I'm breaking out now even at home in the garden when playing with kids etc.
Could live with it, when just triggered when on sun holidays, even if it limit the activities I could do etc.
Have ordered some rash vests, but they all look like winter tops!
Prior to PLE I used to love the feel of the sun on my skin!
Will look at some of creams etc.
Thanks

Also is there an antihistamine that is better it is Zirtek etc okay?

Hi OP, I suffered from this from my mid teens until a couple of years ago. It's miserable isn't it?

However nothing yet this year! Also nothing when I was in New Zealand this winter.

I've been using Altruist factor 30 in my face and Aloe Vera Sun Lotion on my arms and legs. No hint of a tan - however I'm a proper ginge - but no rash either.

I also take a couple of piriton a day

@HesterShaw1 Thanks for that.
I never suffered in my teens, seems to been triggered for me since having children. Finding it so hard to enjoy being out with them in this heat at the moment. UV gear I have so far, feels quite warm etc.

Pix burn allergy cream is the o lay thing that works for me

Long sleeves long trousers wide brimmed hat altruist factor 50 antihistamine every day
Being very careful about the gap between top of shoe & bottom of trouser
Huge supply of Eurax

I wish I had better suggestions!

I get this very badly , try sunscreen with maximum 5 star UVA protectionlots of brands don’t even with a high SPF. I like Soltan sensitive but there are lots of other good ones like ultrasun and piz buin

You can ask gp for prednisolone (sp), one a day tablet, which keeps mine under control.

I second Piz Buin Allergy Lotion factor 50. I seem to have grown out of it PMLE with age but it made summers a misery until my forties.The Piz Buin usually bought me 2-3 days extra on the beach before the dreaded rash started to appear.

The key thing is not to let it get a hold because once the rash is up it will only go after a period of no sun. I found nylon things like rash vests very sweaty and uncomfortable. Long sleeved lightweight pure cotton shirts worn open over tank tops and teamed with loose cotton trousers or long flowy cotton skirts were the best solution for me.

I swam in a long sleeved cotton t shirt which helps keep you cool when wet as well.

If the rash is itchy paint it with calamine lotion (which the long sleeves also conveniently hide).

Those of you taking Piriton daily might like to check with your doctor or pharmacist if there is a safer antihistamine that you could take instead. There is some suggestion of a link between daily consumption of certain antihistamines (including Piriton) for many years in older adults, and dementia. It doesn't mean that the antihistamines cause dementia, just that there is an association. So if you do take daily antihistamines, especially if you are buying them over the counter rather than getting them on prescription, do consider checking with an HCP.