polymorphic light eruption and stress

[bruffin]

I used to get this on holiday abroad but usually ok in the uk unless I have spent a long time in the sun.

This weekend I didn't go out, other than in the car. My forearms came out in the rash on monday, tuesday and wednesday were very stressfull days for me and by last night the rash is now all up my arms, on back of my hands, at the top of my chest and on my legs and a even few spots around my belly button even though some of those places haven't seen the sun, but seem to be irritated by clothes.

It's very itchy and my arms are hot to touch. I have taken anti histamine and used aveeno cream, but it's not getting any better. Any ideas what else I can do.

and what is the best sun tan lotion for this?

Piz Buin Allergy is the one I've found to be best for PLE.

thanks

Which anti-histamine are you using? The only one that works for my PLE is Telfast 180 (fexofenadine). I think it's only available on presciption though. I think mine is made worse by hormonal fluctuations rather than stress, a little like being more sensitive to the son whilst on the Pill.

I've never had a label put on my sun reaction, just been told that i'm "allergic to sunlight". I find that any antihistamine works, but that Piriton is the best. I have, occasionally, when things were bad, doubled-up by taking both a Piriton and one of the one-a-day a-hs. I don't know whether that is recommended, but it has worked for me, without any apparent ill-effects.

Sunscreen doesn't prevent my reaction. I tolerate Piz Buin, L'Oreal Solar Expertise and Ultrasun. The best for high factor is L'Oreal spray. Dragging thick gunk across my skin iirritates it.

If my skin gets to the state yours is in, the only thing thT helps is hydrocortisone cream. OTC is fine, and I don't tend to need it for more than a few days, conytinuing the a-hs even if staying indoors. Avoid bathing and even, as much as possible, letting soapy water run onto the rash when showering. If you can't avoid it, slather the rash with a thick layer of Aveeno before you get wet.

Hope it eases soon. It's a bummer!

BTW if you can bear it, cold Aveeno cream is very soothing on hot angry skin. And I do mean cold: straight from the fridge!

I am only using over the counter loratadine. I used to have eczema on my fingers that came up at the same time every month, but haven't had that for years. I am perimenopausal now so definetly hormonal

A quick update on this thread ad I went away for the weekend. Things got worse as my arms swelled up as well. Went to emergency and they game me anti biotics. Still n ot better after 48 hours so went to gp and was given fucibet as wello and told to up the piriton to 4 times a day, plus use plenty of doublebase/aveeno and aqueous cream for washing. Finally beginning to look normal although still a bit spotty