Sun Allergy: Symptoms and What is Good for It?

Sun allergy, which causes symptoms such as redness, swelling, red spot formation, stinging sensation and rash on the skin surface when directly exposed to sunlight, can also be defined as a kind of reaction caused by hypersensitive skin. In some cases, different symptoms such as nausea, headache, breathing difficulties, and low blood pressure may also be observed.

What is Sun Allergy?

Sun allergy is basically a skin problem characterized by symptoms such as itchy red rash, itching and burning on the skin exposed to sunlight. Polymorphous light eruption, or in other words sun poisoning, is the most common type of sun allergy. Frequently asked question “What is sun allergy?” The question can be answered this way.

Some people have hereditary sun allergies. In some people, sun allergy may occur after the immune system is stimulated for different reasons. In other words, although a person has never had a sun allergy until a certain period of time, he may show symptoms of sun allergy every time he is exposed to the sun after a certain age.

What are the symptoms of sun allergy?

Sun allergy is often seen in spring and summer, when the sun’s rays reach the earth at steeper angles. Skin that is constantly exposed to the sun in the summer becomes harder and the likelihood of developing sun allergies decreases. Some symptoms usually appear only on the area of ​​skin exposed to the sun and typically appear hours after sun exposure. Sun allergy symptoms can be listed as follows:

• Redness,
• itching or pain,
• Crusting on the skin,
• Bleeding,
• Blisters or hives.

What are the Risk Factors for Sun Allergy?

Risk factors for allergic reactions to sunlight include:

• Ethnicity:Although sun allergy occurs in almost all people, it is especially common in people with fair skin.
• Exposure to Certain Substances:If your skin is exposed to various chemicals followed by sunlight, some skin allergy symptoms may be triggered.
• Medication Use:Many medications, including tetracycline antibiotics, some sulfate-based medications, and pain relievers containing ketoprofen, may increase the risk of sun allergy.
• Having a Different Skin Condition:The presence of dermatitis indirectly increases the risk of sun allergy.
• People in the Family with Sun Allergies:If you have a sibling or parent who frequently shows sun allergy reactions, your chance of having sun allergies increases.

What Causes Sun Allergy?

Various medications, chemicals and medical interventions used can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Some people develop allergies to sunlight, while others do not. The reason for this is not entirely clear. In this case, it can be thought that some genetic factors play a role. Frequently asked question: “What causes sun allergy?” The question can also be answered this way. There are several types of sun allergies:

• Actinic Keratosis:It develops due to long-term and unprotected sun exposure. It causes rough, patch-like lesions on the skin surface. It occurs especially on hairless skin such as hands, arms, ears and face. It is most likely to be seen on the legs in women.
• Photoallergic Reaction:It occurs as a result of the reaction of some types of chemicals applied to the skin with sunlight. Various types of medications, as well as sunscreens, cosmetics and fragrances, can also cause a photoallergic reaction. Symptoms sometimes do not appear for two to three days.
• Polymorphous Light Eruption:The prevalence of polymorphous light eruption, which is more common in women than in men, is between 5% and 20% in the population. Although it mostly occurs in spring, in some cases it can even be seen in winter. This disorder, which generally begins before the age of 30, is more common in individuals with light-colored skin. It causes symptoms such as small blisters, itching, rash and burning.
• Solar Urticaria:Rarely seen, solar urticaria can occur within minutes following exposure to sunlight. It is characterized by symptoms such as crusting on the skin surface, accumulation of fluid, bleeding, itching, pain and urticaria.

How to Diagnose Sun Allergy?

The diagnosis of sun allergy can be made just by looking at the skin. Despite this, different tests can be used for differential diagnosis. Some of these tests are:

• Ultraviolet (UV) Light Test:Also called phototest, this examination is performed to see how the skin reacts to ultraviolet light of different wavelengths. It may be useful to determine which type of sun allergy you have.
• Photo Patch Test:In this test, common sun allergy triggers are applied directly to your skin. After a day, a certain dose of ultraviolet rays is delivered to the skin. If a reaction occurs in the skin area exposed to radiation, it will result that the allergy is directly related to the tested substance.
• Biochemical Blood Tests and Skin Samples:If the physician thinks that the symptoms are caused by a different underlying condition rather than sun allergy, he may order some of these tests.

What to Do Against Sun Allergy?

If you have sun allergy or have increased sensitivity to sun rays, you may be asking yourself the question of what to do against sun allergy. To prevent sun allergies, the following can be done:

• Avoid the Sun:Try not to spend time outdoors between 10.00-16.00. Most individuals show symptoms of sun allergy when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time during the spring or summer months. The time spent outdoors should be increased gradually.
• Wear Sunglasses and Protective Clothing:Wearing clothing such as long dresses, shirts, and hats can help protect your skin from direct exposure to the sun’s rays. It may be helpful to avoid fabrics with a fine weave.
• Use Sunscreen:Using sunscreen with an SPF level of at least 30 will protect you against harmful sun rays. Apply sunscreen in sufficient quantity and frequency to the exposed skin surface. If you swim or sweat frequently, apply sunscreen more frequently.
• Avoid Sun Allergy Triggers: If you know that some external factors, such as a medication or contact with certain plants, cause a skin reaction, it is recommended that you avoid these triggers.

How to Treat Sun Allergy?

Mild cases of sun allergy do not need to be treated. In more severe cases, it can be treated with some steroid-derived creams or pills. It is recommended that people with severe sun allergies take protective measures and wear clothes that will protect them from harmful sun rays.

How to Treat Sun Allergy in Babies?

In mild cases, just avoiding sunlight for a few days is enough for the complaints to ease and disappear. A doctor should be consulted before giving medicine or applying cream to your baby. If the allergy is severe, the nearest health institution should be consulted. “How to cure sun allergy in babies?” The answer to the question can be given this way.

Sun Allergy Treatment

Sun allergy treatment depends on the type of sun allergy you have. In mild cases, avoiding exposure to the sun for a certain period of time may be necessary for the symptoms to regress and improve. In severe cases, it would be appropriate to seek help from a doctor and communicate about treatment methods.

What is Good for Sun Allergy?

There are several answers to the question of what is good for sun allergies. Among these, you can use the following applications.

• Medication Use:Treatment of sun allergy may vary depending on the severity of the disease. The doctor may only recommend moisturizing creams or medications that help relieve the itching sensation.
• Therapy:If you have a severe sun allergy, your doctor may recommend gradually acclimating your skin to sunlight each spring. During phototherapy, ultraviolet light is generally applied to sun-exposed areas of the body. Special lamps developed for this application are used. It can often be done several times a week for several weeks.

If you have a sun allergy, you can consult a specialist physician for detailed information about protection and treatment methods. We wish you healthy days.