Polymorphic Light Eruption

[whatatool]

I'm 99% sure I've developed this (joy of joys...allergic to bloody sunshine!!)
Anyone else? I was using Nivea factor 50 and still really suffered with rash and itching on my thighs.
Anyone have any suggestions? Just cover up affected areas forever? More effective sunscreens?
Help!!

I get this too - and its got much worse recently. I haven't found a sunscreen which works (but they are so expensive I have only tried a handful). GP was completely and utterly dismissive and no help whatsoever. For me, the only thing that works is covering up. I've also found my skin is more sensitive at the start of the year for some reason, and it eases off a bit towards the end of the summer.

If it’s only happening since you’ve used one product, have you tried others? I get a terrible itchy rash with many sunscreens when I’m in very hot countries (though hadn’t had problems in the UK with them) and have to use a sensitive skin version now.

I had this in my early 30s, appeared out of nowhere on a very hot holiday. I was offered light treatment at the Royal Free, you're supposed to go in the Spring to slowly build up your light exposure but I only did it one year and I'm not sure it made much difference. The PMLE went away after a few years and I haven't had it since. While I had it I just covered up, long linen sleeves and trousers on holiday, staying in the shade.

Yes I have PLE too. Under the care of a dermatologist and have yearly light treatment for 16 sessions before the summer. It's a horrible thing. For sunscreen the one recommended to me by derm was Anthelios which helps but the light treatment is invaluable. I'd recommend a referral to dermatology if you can.

Yep unfortunately. I get it on my arms and chest. I take antihistamine from spring, try gradual exposure to the sun (difficult in this country!), and use f30 I find f50 makes it worse.

I always wear a rash guard and board shorts at the beach, I have a theory the uv reflects off the sand more.

I've been away for three weeks this summer in the med and it's been kept at bay.

It's horrible, you have my sympathies.

I've had it before too, and it's miserable, sympathies to you.

I would either cover up completely, or start in early spring with as much gradual exposure as you can. Floaty cotton!

I get this…or used to.
i used to have to take steroid tablets to calm the rash down as it was so severe (swelling and blistering). A locum GP prescribed me MONTELUKAST tablets to try, they usually are for asthma but he’s read that they can help other autoimmune conditions. Well it was miraculous, the rash cleared up v quickly and then I’ve never had it since…it’s like whatever switch has been turned off!

My daughter has this. And I had it as a teenager. Hers is very severe and she uses betnovate when it starts but also on the advice of a dermatologist uses prednisolone and starts it just before she goes away.

She has a very pale skin and is rigorous about protection.

Montelukast would be another option. Or high dose antihistamine.

It's so irritating! I used to have so much tolerance for the sun, now I’m 47 and I get the red blotches / rashes straight away . Daily anti histamine , montelukast and Eucerin sun allergy factor 50 has been helpful for me. I also treat the rashes with
my excema steroid creams.

Reviving this thread since I'm desperate for help.im 45 and seem to have got extreme PMLE this year - symptoms only started a couple of years ago and were moderate previously. Not been diagnosed yet. I had quite high sun tolerance prior to that.

@Writerscompanion I'm quite close to Royal Free. Did you get your GP to refer you? Or am I best seeking a private consultation initially?

I'm in absolute agony ever since I spent a week away in a tropical climate over Easter. Although I am avoiding all sun exposure since then, I have rashes nearly all over my arms, legs and torso and am itching like crazy. Isn't getting better. Taking an antihistamine every day. Will try to see a GP tomorrow.

Until you get seen try using "sensitive" sun blocks like Eucerin or ultrasun. Mine has calmed down since menopause but they're still all I can use without getting some bumpiness and stinging.

I have a better time of it in years when I can get my arms out as early as April when the sun is less intense, so hopefully this will be a better year for those of use who do desensitise a bit.

My husband had a steroid shot in hospital when his got very bad from being in sun all day first time it happened. He was shaking all over. Call 911 tomorrow morning first thing? Or go to A&E? You might have a cellulitis. it should be checked. cellulitis is very serious so do please get it checked. I’ve had it and the GP missed it.

For long term help, check your vitamin D status. I’m sure I read a study somewhere which showed many with PMLE are low in D.

id also get a really good probiotic, low histamine one. Gut - skin axis. Menopause is high histamine time…

you could look at a trial pack of Vivomixx. Take a small amount to begin with. It’s strong. Most of us are depleted in good bacteria and have over active immune systems due to leaky gut. It just gets worse as estrogen switches off.

Microbiome of the skin is out of whack

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39576029/

interesting. I’d consider looking at how to reduce SA on skin.

Inulin containing creams might help. That could increase staph epidermis which is anti-inflammatory.

but how to increase bacterial diversity in skin? Maybe that’s the answer.

@TrainGame I googled "cellulitis" and don't think this is it. Feels like a really bad eczema flair up (I have eczem too) but my skin isn't hot or swollen.
It's red rashes on arms, neck, legs. Seem to get worse if I go outside during the day. I'm definitely peri menopausal.

I had to take an anti histamine, only one worked for me so try different ones, and a factor 50. Again, trial and error but I think Avene was the best.
In reality, covering up and always walking on the dark side was my life. 😏
It started when I was taking the pill, them most bizarrely stopped when I got pregnant!

I’ve had this for a few years too. It’s very unpleasant.
Get a referral to dermatology for consideration for UVB treatment in early spring to prevent summer flare ups. It really works but has to be done early in the year. I never find much helpful in a flare. Steroid cream helps a bit but not much. Snake powder from Amazon is really soothing. A good sunscreen recommendation from my dermatologist was Anthelios which definitely helped abroad. Vitamin D and derm also recommended I take Nicinamide 500 mgs daily. This is a vitamin b3 supplement not to be confused with niacin as they’re different. It is difficult to come by at 500 mg but got it from Amazon too. Peri and starting HRT made mine worse unfortunately. derm discussed using preventative meds such as hydroxycloraquine but I have chosen not too for now. Good luck it’s not pleasant at all.

@CookingFatCat which antihistamine worked for you, finally? Cetrizine isn't doing much for the itching so far. I'm also on HRT since a few months now. I thought more estrogen would help rather than hinder but obviously not.

@TallulahMazda I will try to get referred but looks like light therapy isn't going to help this year in any case.

Another long-term sufferer of PMLE here.

Definitely go to your GP. You need high-dosage anti-histamines and steroid cream/ointment. Possibly oral steroids as well. I have Mometasone cream and Prednisolone tablets in my bathroom cabinet so that I can treat myself at the first sign of a flare without the delay of trying to see a doctor.

Also ask to be referred to Dermatology for further treatment.

Cover up from the sun using the softest, most opaque fabrics you can. Stop putting anything on your skin until it heals. You do need to moisturise the area, but IME pretty much everything stings. You may be lucky and be able to use one of the extremely bland moisturisers like eucerin or diprobase. When my skin flares the only thing I can tolerate on it is pure virgin cold pressed coconut oil. Just a dab makes a massive difference.

Phototherapy works wonderfully IME, but only if you then have sun exposure immediately after. When I've gone on holiday within days of finishing the course (eg an Easter break) it has worked 100% and I have not reacted for the rest of the year. When we have a grotty spring, or I work mostly indoors, the protection wears off by the time I get strong sun.

I take antihistamines every day, increasing as the sun gets stronger. You can take up to 4 of the 'one-a-day' antihistamines every day. You can also add Piriton on top.

This summer, on my dermatologist's advice, I am taking Vitamin D and Niacinamide every day. I don't know whether it helps. There are so many other factors.

Sunscreen does not help me at all. I cover. That is the only guaranteed preventative for me.

Use le Roche Posay sunscreen instead

This happens me too if I use anything else (and my children)

That sounds like an Indie band name.

Hi OP, I had this and GP said it can be linked to peri and menopause - One of the side effects of low estrogen. I initially was prescribed fexofenadine antihistamine, and was advised that if the one dose in 24 hours wasn’t working, then to take two tablets, which I often had to do. The game changer though, was going on HRT. It cleared up and I haven’t had it since. Was awful, it used to look like burns on my skin. Might be worth considering HRT? All the best. X

I'm already on HRT, alas. And the flare up is awful this year. I saw my GP today and have been given flucibet (I have used this for eczema before). Not hopeful. I'm to report back in a week and if still no better then will be given oral steroids and a referral to dermatology.

I already use anthelios by la roche pose - not helping so far. I have ordered a eucerin sun allergy gel now since it seemed to have helped some fellow sufferers (read on the mumsnet forums).

I'm still on ceteizine but was limiting to 1 tab a day. Will now try 2. I didn't realise PMLE was perhaps a common thing! thank you.

@Pinkfizzed Cetrazine I think. But try them all, and buy on amazon, as much much cheaper to buy in bulk.

I've found this thread very interesting. I started with PMLE when I was 50...not as badly as some of you, just on my face and neck. Last year ( aged 66) was the first year I didn't get it. Unsure why...but my vit D levels are now excellent . Just been away and it hasn't flared up again.
I use Altruist on my face now.

PLE is mostly caused by UVA, I had it really badly but it got a lot better after menopause. If buying high factor sunscreen always look for 5 star UVA protection as suprprisingly some brands only have lower UVA protection in very high factor sunscreens