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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Anyone allergic to the sun?

16 replies

gingerninja · 03/04/2007 20:21

When the sun is strong like it has been recently I get a very lumpy very itchy rash on my hands (knees, neck and feet too if they're exposed) I went to the Dr as a child and she said it was an allergy to the sun rays. I've never really questioned it but do wonder if anyone else get's this and if it is an accurate diagnosis. It's definately not prickly heat which my step mother gets and is quite different. The rash I get has much bigger bumps!

I try and use suncream but if I put it on once the rash has developed it is a nightmare and gets very inflamed and even more itchy. I also find that once I've got it, it doesn't really disappear unless we have a prolonged period without any sun.

OP posts:

Original poster

gingerninja · 03/04/2007 20:22

forgot to say...anyone else get this?

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lemonaid · 03/04/2007 20:25

I get it and have done since my teens. It takes a couple of days of sun to set it off so I just tend to wear long-sleeved tops and a high factor sunscreen with a high start rating all the time in summer and then I'm normally OK. If I go on holiday in the summer and stupidly forget a long-sleeved top (only done this once) it gets worse and worse and eventually blisters.

Original poster

gingerninja · 03/04/2007 20:30

It's awful isn't it? just when veryone else is looking bronzed and gorgeous I sport lumpy itchy hands. Funny thing is I don't seem to get it everytime and I wonder if some other factor contributes. I had my hands in bleach and water a few days before my recent outbreak so maybe that weakened the skin making it more vulnerable. Having said that I've never really identified a pattern to it other than it's bloody horrible

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raspberryberet · 03/04/2007 20:34

I get it when I take anti-depressants - which I have been taking on and off for about seven years. It's really miserable and it doesn't seem to matter which ad I take, I get the same problem.

It sounds like you've had an accurate diagnosis - but if you're not sure that it's right, go back and see the GP again.

IlanaK · 03/04/2007 20:36

Yes, I get this. It seems to get worse each year. I try to stay out of the sun completely. I do find that it gets worse for a few days and then I suddennly seem to aclimatise to the sun and it gets better. No cure that I know of, sorry.

lemonaid · 03/04/2007 20:42

Photosensitivity can be induced or made worse by some chemicals -- I'm pretty sure mine isn't, but it could be the case for you. I don't know if bleach is notmally one of them.

saffy202 · 03/04/2007 21:23

I started getting this a few years ago on holiday - the itching drove me mad and I couldn't sleep.

Through trial and error I have discovered Piz Buin Allergy Sun cream is the only thing that helps keep it at bay - has to be the Allergy one.

juelgaz · 05/04/2007 19:38

Hi, I agree, I use puiz bruin factor 8 allergy, its the only one that i find works, but you need to use it from day one, not just when an attack of spots breaks out.

juelgaz · 05/04/2007 19:38

Hi, I agree, I use puiz bruin factor 8 allergy, its the only one that i find works, but you need to use it from day one, not just when an attack of spots breaks out.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 05/04/2007 19:44

Ginger - google Polymorphic Light Eruption.

I get this every Spring and it's vile.

I wear Soltan (factor 25 min)from Boots as it has a 5 star UVA protection and last year I started on an anti-histamine called Telfast 180. You need to start taking it a few days before sun exposure. HTH

Original poster

gingerninja · 05/04/2007 20:59

Ohh, thanks for the info smbk and all you other lumpy rash sufferers. It's rubbish isn't it but good to know we're not the only ones suffering in the sun.

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NorksBride · 05/04/2007 21:03

I'm highly allergic to The Sun. And anything else that Murdoch owns.

Sorry!

Ellbell · 05/04/2007 21:05

My sister gets this and if she goes somewhere hot on holiday she gets antihistimines from the doctor to stop it getting out of control. When she was a teenager she fell asleep on the beach (in this country) and woke up looking like the Elephant Man... her face was hideously swollen (not burnt, just swollen). I am very fair and burn easily, but don't seem to get this.

Ellbell · 05/04/2007 21:05

PMSL Norks!

Julia76 · 06/04/2007 11:27

Hi my ds (7) also sometimes gets this. He is allergic to the heat and cold amongst many other things. He experienced this quite bad last summer(in uk) and his face became swallon, red with urticaria (hive/nettle rash). I treated him with antihistamine also and kept him out of the sun as much as possible, which does prove difficult, especally with kids. He does not always experience this. It does depend on the level of histamine present in your body at that time. So this is why you may get it one day and may not get it another day, even if extremly hot, like any allergy. Suncream, antihistamine and keeping in the shade as much as possible is your best bet.

fuzzywuzzy · 06/04/2007 11:29

DD1 used to get this, looks like she's grown out of it now thank goodness. It would start off as a slight redness and then turn into blisters, she'd be itchy and have scaly skin for weeks, I had to keep her away from direct sunlight at all times otherwise she'd get this.

She's OK now at 4 though....

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