^Please^ tell me this isn't an allergy to sun fgs ...

[NotQuiteCockney]

I have come up in white bumps on my forearms and upper chest, all of which was exposed to the sun today.

I did get stung by nettles a bit, but only on an elbow. I got moderately soaked in canal water, but mostly my legs, which don't show any sign of itching etc.

No change in laundry soap, bathing soap, etc etc.

I don't want to be allergic to sun, so other suggestions very welcome.

do you think they could be heat bumps... does it itch?

I don't think it's heat rash, that comes up in skin folds doesn't it?

It does itch, like mad, but I am not scratching.

I go bumpy all over when I get pollen in me.

What happens if you take antihistamine?

I don't get heat rash in the folds of my skin, I get it all over and it's not really rashy more lumpy. Have you tried a cool shower to wash off sweat/sun cream?

Message withdrawn

I wasn't particularly hot today, and I really only got it on the sun-exposed bits.

Have read up on it a bit, and sounds like the sun thing - the most common kind is genetic, and more likely if you're Native, so that fits (ish).

I haven't tried a cool shower, will do. I've certainly spent the last four days in a frenzy of sport (lots of biking, running, rock climbing, kayaking).

NQC - I posted on another thread yesterday about PLE - polymorphic light eruption, which I get. Google it and see what you think.

I take antihistamines (terfanadine brand name Telfast 180) from the docs. I have to take them before I get out in the sun otherwise I get a really bad rash that goes blistery. Also you need a sun block with high UVA protection.

Yeah, PLE is the one I meant, I will look at my sun block options.

Thing is, I've never had this before. And I already have more than my quota of weird little ailments ....

It's your age. Hormones or something.

I started with it about 6 or so years ago - never had it before. Whilst I was pg with dd who's 14 now I started with a bloody allergy to the cold which I still get on my neck.

The Telfast is fab though - would recommend it but I don't think you can get it over the counter.

NQC are the bumps itchy? If so, sounds very much like prickly heat to me. I get it sometimes in the summer when I'm out in the sun. Aloe Vera gel is a godsend, the only thing that really soothes. Just happened to me one holiday a few years ago, now it recurs once or twice a year. It's an absolute bugger, but does seem to ebb once I've cooled down ...

Thing is, I really hate daytime antihistamines. I get really angry if I take them. So I don't ever take them.

They are itchy, but they don't look like prickly heat to me, and they really are only on sun-exposed bits (e.g. tops of my forearms, not the undersides, iyswim). I'm not feeling warm now, they're still itching. I'll have a cool shower, but I'm 99% sure it's not from heat, but from the sun.

IME prickly heat tends to be smaller bumps than PLE.

I'm allergic to Piriton I think (fgs!) it makes me feel very strange. The last time I took it I had a really funny turn whilst driving. I thought I'd had a stroke

Hmmn, I only get it on sun-exposed bits too ... but now wondering whether my thing is PLE too! Either way, especially if you're not keen on antihistamines, aloe gel is worth a try. Have dabbled in all manner of chemical solutions to the problem and none work as well or as quickly as this.

I've got loads of aloe gel in the house, will give it a go.

I might be fine with topical antihistamines, it's only the pills that make me furious. [freak]

I had a shower last night, and used really good moisturiser on the rash bits. It's looking better now. I realised I'd got burned or tanned on my thighs a bit, from kayaking yesterday, and will see if they now come up in a rash, too.

I'm meant to be swimming at the lido this afternoon, so will be gooping myself up accordingly.

my ds had the same on his forarms yesterday afternoon. He didn't mention it being itchy though.

Looks like it is something I'm going to have to look out for.