Prickly heat

[merryandbrightdelight]

Just that really - any ideas?

Back from a week in Spain where it was between 32 and 47 with the heatwave. I’m fair skinned so have been hiding indoors where I can and out of the sun but started with prickly heat Monday across my chest and arms. Had antihistamines and my chest has cleared up but now it’s my arms, wrists and the creases and it is SO itchy.

I plan on a cool shower before bed. I also have aqueous cream and fuciderm if either of these will help?

Google tells me no perfumed shower gels - been using one of those plus perfume so will stay off those for a few days.

Photos attached - ignore the background, shopping has just arrived!

This stuff is great 👍

The image is under review but it's called Snake Brand Prickly Heat! I get mine from Ebay.

Ooh that looks like polymorphic light eruption. I used to get it as a teenager but it settled down. My daughter gets it and has to take high dose fexofenadine (180mg qds) and sometimes steroids but she doesn't like their effect so tries not to take them.
She's getting light therapy in the new year as hers is very severe and her arms and legs get really swollen.
Have a Google and see if your symptoms are similar.

Also, as a temporary measure to get some relief, try rubbing ice cubes over the itchy skin...obviously don't leave the ice cubes on for long, but just gently rub over.

Piriton antihistamines worked best for me.

@Ihateborisfab thank you I’ll have a look into this! How do you use it and how long for it to work? I’ve had a cool shower and I’m laid with the fan on - only problem is the fan is making me chilly, so I’ve now got a blanket over my trunk and chest, and my arms and legs out! Sure this holiday malarkey just isn’t worth it anymore 🤣

@Musicaltheatremumoh your poor daughter bless her I’d never heard of it until I googled it. Has she had it all along or did it develop? It does look similar. I’ve never been one to get a tan - I normally go red, sunburnt, peel and back to pale. We were in Cyprus last year with similar temperatures and I was fine but for some reason this year I’ve really taken a battering

I’ve only started getting it (think it’s PLE) after I had light treatment for eczema, had a few sessions then they stopped it and I’ve been getting this ever since whenever I get a bit of sun. I’m I could do with steroids but can’t get hold of the dermatologist

For PLE you need a sun allergy sun cream, we use either Piz Buin allergy or Eucerin.

for prickly heat I used to smooth yoghurt on to try and stop the itch.

I think the type of sun cream you use can have a big effect. I used to get it really badly years and years ago. I was using Amber Solaire. I think it blocked my pores and irritated my skin . Then the intense sun just played havoc and ruined a holiday in Italy. I am careful now about suncream and it hasn’t happened since.

Washing with Dettol soap, oral antihistamines and antihistamine cream helped my DD recently when she had it.

In Spain, years ago, I had a really bad reaction to the sun and was prescribed Fluocid Forte - when I needed it again over here, my gp knew what the equivalent was but I'm sorry I can't remember! It was a miracle cure! Hope you get something to help OP.

Try putting cold damp towels on the itchy areas and repeating as necessary. I found that helped with the irritation as did aloe Vera.
I use Piz Buin Allergy sun cream now and that virtually stops me getting it now. If I do get the odd instance of it, it doesn’t itch.

Antihistamines help before it takes hold. In future take loratidine or certirizine or similar from the start of the holiday. Flannels or small towels in cold water rung out and lying under them. Sympathies.

You just apply to the affected area and it works immediately. It's a white powder that just rubs in.

It's developed over the last few years. She's really pale. Like me. Her brother tends to tan. But she and I are like you. We are really funny when the sun is out...we go shade hunting.