Sore, broken skin - heat

[EmmaH2022]

Hi all
I have terrible issues with this on my feet and legs. Literally, the sun comes out, I get some weird, sore, splitting skin thing going on. Or even if it's just humid.

Is there anything preventative I can use? Or curative? Everything on prescription is useless.

Would something like Clinisept help? I read about it here with maskne.

Thank you.

Hopeful bump.

Could it be prickly heat. I get it on my feet int he what. Incredibly painful swollen skin and lumps spots all of it! . Worth a Google. I get it on the sole and top of my feet.

Hydrocortisone cream from a pharmacy counter and anthihistamine may help if so

Maybe post a pic here?

I would go to the doctor. That sounds very odd.

cherry that’s what the doctor said but I really wanted help with preventing it as the meds take ages to help and in a prolonged hot spell, it’s hard to keep the skin uncovered.

do you do any preventative stuff?

Ah I see. Have you tried an antihistamine? I haven't tried them as preventative.

I don't really understand what cause prickly heat as when you read about it is always describe in terms of rubbing against a fabric. But that js not my experience. I'll read up a bit more.

Google Polymorphic Light Eruption. Does that fit?

For me it's essentially an allergy to sunlight. Only 3 preventative options AFAIK:

1. Physically cover up. Some people found mineral sunscreens help - I don't.
2. Desensitisation. A very precise course of sunbed treatment that teaches your body not to react. But it has to be maintained as the effect wears off, and you can only have a limited lifetime exposure so you cannot do it every year for the rest of your life.
3. Antihistamines. I take one every day, and up to four if I've been or am likely to be exposed.

The only treatment I know of once the skin has reacted is topical steroids and moisturising. Plus more antihistamines and covering up. And to add to the problem, once the skin has reacted it becomes more sensitive to other things, so the moisturiser that was lovely last week is like sand and vinegar this week.

@Dilbertian i suffer too. Suncream does work for me but my problem is it’s my hands and wrists that react so I am constantly reapplying due to hand washing. Therefore there’s not enough protection. I sit in the shade as much as possible but I really struggle with the heat so covering up isn’t an option. April - September is spent with a steroid cream, eurax and cold packs coming to bed with me most nights as the itching drives me insane and the heat makes it worse.

i managed to desensitise in previous years but can’t any more.

Interesting as I felt mine was more of an allergy.

@TheGlitterati Might these help? I've just ordered some of their sleeves.

@Dilbertian i have got some sleeves actually… they were poor quality but significantly cheaper. I look a fool in them though!

Anyone who judges can take a long walk off a short pier. I tried to pull off the chic Agatha Christie Mediterranean wealthy swathed in elegant draperies look and end up looking like a heap of laundry. I've given up on caring whether I look a fool. Better that than the alternative. Anyone who judges can try living in my skin.

I think the gloves would be better, it’s more the sleeves cut into my fat upper arms! Can’t find cheaper gloves though x