Photosensitivity

[crashdoll]

Does anyone else get a photosensitive rash? Today, I was outside with friends but covered up except arms, in the shade, hat on, lashings of factor 50 and still, a rash on my fash. I feel ill too. Is there anything I can do? I did sit in the sun for 20 mins or so but perhaps that was even too much? If you get this type of rash, how do you soothe it?

I have rheumatoid arthritis and sjorgen's syndrome, so an autoimmune history and I'm being re-tested for lupus. Until then, this weather is making me miserable. I also have low vitamin D so a bit of sun is kind-of needed!

Certain meds for RA can make you more sensitive to sunlight, as can having lupus and similar conditions. Maybe that explains it. Ii am another one with various autimmune probs, also fair skinned and blond and in Scotland which is more famous for the midge than for sunshine (thoughcolourwise not the 'worst', as i have friends who cannot sunbathe at all - whereas, if I build it up very gradually, I do get a tint of beige eventually), but I do have to take care. This si the first summer for a few years that i've not been on med that increases photosensitivity, but I'm still burning if I go out for long. I know what you mean about needing Vit D though - it's a frustrating balancing act.

I've had fac 50 on all day, wide brimmed hat on all the time outside, and was only in the sun after 4 - and am still red of face. A bath calmed the rest of me down.

I've never been very sun tolerant, and wear long sleeves in the sun, and if I'd been outside all day then would have been wearing a long sleeved, high necked UV resistant top as its such an issue for me

I have PLE - polymorphic light eruption - which is a form of photosenstivity. I've had it on and off for some years and it seems to be possibly hormone related - worse when pg, and I have it this year having not had it badly for some years and am pretty much menopausal now. The pill can e a factor and as others have said other medications.

I take a anti-histamine called Telfast (fexofenadine) - no others seems to do the trick and use a sunlock with good UVA protection not just UVB.

Dd2 gets a photosensitive allergy to suncream. If I put sun cream on her, and she stays indoors, she is fine. The moment she exposes her skin to the sun, the rash develops where the cream was. Luckily, she can use creams which don't get absorbed by the skin expensive ones containing zinc, which leave white marks.

The Lupus UK magazine always has lots of article about people suffering from photosensitivity, it sounds an absolute PITA. Could the rash be exacerbated by your suncream? I used to use a brand that seemed to 'trap' the sweat and bring me out in prickly heat rash. I use Ultrasun now and don't have a problem - but I'm not sure if that's simply because my Lupus has become less active as I've got older touch wood.

I have MCTD ( a bit like lupus) and also have photo sensitisation. I use mineral sun screen which removes the problem. I tend to use the Liz Earle one a bit pricier than regular sunscreen not as much as other mineral ones. I do use her tinted sunscreen moisturiser all year round as I work outside and with no sun exposure and no tint I am very pale.

I see my rheumatology nurse tomorrow, so I'll see what she says. I've had this for years but it's got progressively worse. Apparently the NSAID I take in high doses can make photosensitivity worse but it really helps the inflammation, so it's a tricky symptom balance.

I might try a different sun cream. It has UVA and UVB protection. It can't hurt to try something else. I've stayed indoors today. The skin around my eyes are so red and sore. I'm cross with myself for daring to go out when I know I can't really tolerate the sun. I did this 2 weeks ago and got blisters on my chest, so I thought I'd learnt my lesson!

Good luck tomorrow - I hope your nurse has some cunning ideas for you to try.

What brand of sunscreen was it? I think that there have been some major formulation changes.
DD has sensitive skin, especially on her face and always gets a very bad heat rash. This year she got water blisters on her face, with big patches of red raised skin. This was from Nivea children's which up until this year has been fine.
Clinique is very good