Is anyone else allergic to the sun?

[ingles2]

Because I am totally fed up....
the minute I expose an inch of my skin to the sun I come out in the most disgusting rash and blisters. Last year we went camping in the south of france, I looked terrible...we're going again in August and this year I would so love to wear a strappy dress. GP says to cover up at all times.... I'd like to see him swimming in the south of France with the dc's wearing a poloneck and long trousers.
Has anyone got any tips or remedies?
Anyone else suffer like this?

might be different mmj, cant say i remember the sea stinging it.
the desensitization sounds alright, but you have to keep up the exposure to maintain protection. i couldnt be arsed with all the calculating etc. would rather have a big sun hat, nice flowy muslin long sleeves, and cocktails in the shade (and fake tan and lots of suncream to cover vanity/the occasional dip in the sea/pool)

Hi - I suffer from this too - and had it diagnosed as polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) or something like that. My gp in Cambridge (I've moved from there now) diagnosed it by searching through the medial pages on Harvard Medical site, and I've since found information out about it a really useful dermalogical website from New Zealand. They detailed what you need to look for in your suncreams try the link (plus some gruesome pics) - dermnetnz.org/reactions/pmle.html
But there is lots of info if you search for it on the web.
hope this helps!

I get this - i used to just cover up, but then discovered factor 50 and 60, and I'm absolutely fine with taht. factor 30 didn't prevent it - it was exactly as you describe.

I get this too - once took a holiday to Greece at the end of May and overdid it one day in the sun and came out in a nasty red blistery rash. Spent the rest of the fortnight in the apartment plastering aftersun and camomile tea bags all over me (it was all we had).
A friend showed me an article about an allergy to UVA rays and this seemed to describe me. It recommended using creams with a physical barrier in (titanium or zinc dioxide). I too find that I'm worse at the beginning of the year and it subsides towards the autumn.
Have also had to acept the fact that my complexion is not designed for the sun, so I stay in the shade and take snowy holidays instead.

I used to get a blistering rash when I went to very hot countries particularly on my hands. I have had it in England for the first time this year...although this time it was on my arms and neck rather than hands.

My doctor was very unhelpful and said to keep completely covered up..which is not practical...I do try to stay in the shade where possible though.

I have never been on the pill so know this is not a factor in my case.

Somebody told me their skin reacted more to the sun if they had a lot of caffeine...does anyone know if there is any truth in this?
It may be a coincidence but I got a bad sun rash around the time of the school summer fayre when I was very stressed and drinking lots of tea and coffee.

I think there is something to be said for gradually exposing ones skin to the sun for short periods to build up some resistance.

In your position Ingles I would wear a sun hat and short sleeved top during the day..with lots of sun block on your arms..maybe you could change into the strappy dress after 4pm when the sun is not so strong..

With the swimming I suppose you would have to cover yourself in sunblock and swim for short periods before going back to the shade.

I think I have that too.

I get some on my hands when it gets colder too.

I have found that suncream makes it worse.

I hate it sooo much. Take antihistamines for hayfever. Would the doctor be able to do anything else about it? Have never been with this before - have just put up with it.