Blogs

Sunlight is our main source of Vitamin D. So, that makes it quite important for our wellbeing. But, while almost everyone loves soaking up those rays of sunshine, here’s a little something that might sound surprising – some people are allergic to the sun! The very thing that brings smiles and warmth to some, can cause severe inflammatory reactions to them when briefly exposed to the sun. But don’t worry, we’ve for your back (and your skin) covered.

If you’ve felt like your skin isn’t too happy after stepping out into the sun, you need to read on. And, if you know that you’re prone to sun allergies, we’ve packed this article with helpful tips & tricks to ease symptoms of sun allergies, or solar urticaria, as it’s also known.

Solar Urticaria: Everything You Need to Know

So, let’s talk a little bit about urticaria. It’s what happens when you experience an allergic reaction and looks a lot like hives. A few people experience the same thing when exposed to the sun. They feel an intense itching sensation and develop hard lumps on their skin.

But here’s the silver lining: Solar urticaria is very rare. There have been fewer than 700 cases recorded worldwide. And, the even better news is that if you’re careful and avoid the sun as much as you can, it’s usually not harmful.

What to Look Out For

Unlike normal allergic reactions, sun allergy shows up almost immediately after being exposed to the sun. Here are a few symptoms to look out for:

• Redness of skin
• Low blood pressure
• Breakout of rashes
• Sudden feeling of warmness
• Formation of blisters
• Hard patches appearing on the skin
• Feeling of intense itchiness
• Irregular breathing

But here's the thing – most of these symptoms disappear as soon as you find some shade. Your skin just needs a timeout from the sun. However, if you've got sensitive skin, these symptoms might linger for a while longer.

But What’s the Cause?

Whether it be hereditary or side effects of surgery, sun allergy has many causes and shows itself when an individual exposes themselves to sunlight. Here are a few causes:

• Chronic skin issues (dermatitis, eczema, rosacea)
• Skin reactions to certain antibiotics or medicated creams
• Climate conditions
• Allergy to skin products
• Side effects of recent surgery
• History of sun intolerance in the family

Treating Solar Urticaria in the Summer

First things first: visit a specialist dermatologist. They’ll check out your skin, assess the situation and give your skin the treatment it needs. You may expect everything from skin creams to drug-therapy treatment which will help deal with the symptoms of sun allergy. Here’s a list of the many treatments available:

Creams and lotions containing cortisone and corticosteroids which have anti-inflammatory properties Prescription drugs like montelukast, levocetirizine and fexofenadine Light therapy, which tunes your skin tone with natural sunlight Controlled exposure to UV using lamps to build tolerance

Most of these medicated creams and prescription drugs help ease itching and reduce sensitivity.

Tips to Help You Beat the Heat

Sometimes, prevention truly is better. Here are a few tips from dermatologists to help you counter sun exposure and reduce allergic reactions:

• Carry an umbrella
• Use a sunscreen/moisturizer which has SPF 40
• Cover up with full sleeves and long pants
• Try to stay indoors between 11 am and 3 pm (especially during summer)
• Test out skin products before you use them
• Make an appointment with a dermatologist

So, to sum it up, solar urticaria is treatable and it’s only limited to exposure to the sun. And, it’s one of the rarest skin conditions out there.

But, with a little knowledge and these trusty skin care tips you can keep it in check. And, make sure you have a supply of La Shield to Uran-Protect your skin and keep it healthy! So, go on and enjoy the sun – just make sure you and your skin are on the same page.