The rays that hurt - Sun allergy

The sun conjures up feelings of warmth and fun in the sand. However for certain people it provides more than just warmth and leads to nasty skin eruptions. The UV rays of the sun causes changes in the skin of an individual. These changes are wrongly recognised as being alien or foreign parts by the immune system of the body and result in the body mounting an immune response. This immune response is evident as blisters or hives. Initially these skin eruptions and skin damage are seen in those parts of the body that are exposed to the sun like the neck, outer surface of arms, lower legs and the back of the palms. In severe cases or heightened responses, these red and itchy sun allergy rashes might be seen even in those parts of the body that are covered. In extreme cases of sun allergy, the symptoms may be noticed even when the individual is exposed to indoor lights.

Sun allergy is caused among people with all types of skin colour (white, brown, black or yellow). This allergy of the sun is very different from sunburn that is experienced by certain people. Sunburn occurs when the melanin of the skin is unable to protect the skin due to prolonged exposure to the sun's rays or increased exposure. Sun allergy, however, is an immune reaction that is mounted.

Some people suffer from sun allergy on exposure to the sun's rays after using certain creams or perfumes. Antibiotics and diuretics have also been found to increase the chances of sun allergy in some individuals. When the cream or the perfume that has been found to cause sun allergy is discontinued from use, the sun allergy symptoms will subside. Medications, when cause of the sun allergy, may be altered or discontinued based completely on the doctor's advice.

There are many different types of sun allergy that are caused and there are 4 important types of sun allergy that is commonly caused among people. These include Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), actinic prurigo (PMLE that is hereditary), photoallergic eruption and solar urticaria.

Polymorphic light eruption is the most common form of sun allergy and it is called sun poisoning. This form of sun allergy is usually caused with a few minutes of exposure or within a few hours and it begins with itchy skin and small skin eruptions. The skin eruptions may be yellow or white in colour with the underlying skin appearing red. The blood vessels in the exposed areas of the skin will become enlarged and will give the skin the appearance of being swollen with a reddish colour. This allergy caused due to the sun is found more commonly in women than in men.

Actinic prurigo is a form of sun allergy that is said to be hereditary. This form of allergy is therefore seen among children and teenagers as this is an early onset of allergy. The symptoms of the sun allergy include fluid filled blisters that may burst. The lips tend to chip and crack and scars are usually present even after the allergy subsides. Such allergies to the sun are commonly found among the Native American population.

Chronic actinic dermatitis is an allergy due to sun exposure that is characterized by the formation of thick patches of skin that are formed on exposed areas of the body. These blisters are often seen even on the palms of the hands and the soles of one's feet.

Solar urticaria another form of allergy due to exposure to the sun and this includes hives that are formed all over the body. This form of allergy is seen more commonly among older adults and has been found to affect parts of the skin exposed to the sun as well areas covered.

Sun allergy prevention should begin by identifying substances that could trigger sun allergy like perfumes and lotions and sometimes even plants. These should be completely avoided. Other methods of sun allergy prevention include staying away from the sun during the intense period i.e. between 11: 00a.m and 4:00p.m. The individual should further be completely covered with loose clothing so as to avoid the harsh rays of the sun. Sun blocks with good SPF should be applied generously at least 20 minutes before stepping out into the sun. Such measures will ensure that the sun allergy is prevented to a large extent.

Those individuals, who are extremely susceptible to allergies caused by the sun, should ensure that they do not visit places that have heightened exposure to the sun. For e.g. mountainous regions are exposed to the harsh rays of the sun a lot more than plains. Sand has been found to reflect nearly 20% of the sun's rays and fresh snow reflects up to 80 % of the sun's rays. Beaches and ski mountains should, therefore, be avoided as a preventive measure by people who are extremely vulnerable to sun allergy.

Sun allergy is generally diagnosed by dermatologists using special equipment that is used to focus different light on the skin. When different forms of light are allowed on to a person's skin then light of different spectrum is obtained, this is used to understand the type of sun allergy. Sometimes it would be necessary to study the skin exposure under natural light.

Sun allergy treatment options include repeated exposure, monitored by dermatologists, so that the skin is desensitized and sun allergy rashes are not produced on the skin.

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