Sun allergy: treatment at home

Sun allergy is not quite correctly called a reaction that occurs in certain people under the influence of sunlight. The correct name for it is photodermatosis, or solar dermatitis.

There is an assumption that this allergy does not appear due to exposure to the sun, because it does not contain protein in its rays.

In this case, the sun's rays are attributed only to a certain factor. It is believed that the sun can only affect a certain type of people who suffer from diseases of systemic organs and have accumulated a large number of allergens in their bodies.

In this article we will talk about sun allergy - its symptoms and treatment methods, and also look at detailed photos.

Causes

The allergic or toxic effect of ultraviolet (sun) rays manifests itself when they combine with substances already on the skin - exogenous photodermatitis, with substances located in skin cells - endogenous photodermatitis.

Sunlight, in principle, cannot be an allergen, but it can provoke several types of aggressive reactions not only of the immune system, but also of the entire body:

1. Photoallergy or sun allergy – photosensitivity.
2. A phototraumatic reaction is an elementary sunburn from overly “zealous” tanning.
3. A phototoxic reaction is a photodermatosis caused by the interaction of ultraviolet radiation and certain types of drugs and plants.

All types of reactions are manifested by varying degrees of skin pigmentation; in addition, in people who are prone to allergies, even a seemingly safe half-hour exposure to the sun can cause severe allergies.

Internal factors for the development of photodermatitis include:

1. Taking a number of pharmacological drugs, for example, hormonal birth control pills with a high content of estrogens, some antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants, etc.;
2. Vitamin deficiency in the body;
3. Reduced immunity.

External reasons usually include the use of various creams and other cosmetics, which contain certain components, such as sandalwood oil, musk, etc.

Prone to the appearance of photodermatosis:

• Small children;
• people with light skin;
• pregnant women;
• those who the day before underwent cosmetic procedures using cadmium salts (chemical peeling, tattooing).
• persons who abuse solariums;

There are also substances that, if ingested, can cause photodermatitis. This group includes certain medications and some food products.

• antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline);
• drugs for the treatment of cardiac diseases;
• aspirin;
• antibacterial drugs;
• ibuprofen;
• antidepressants;
• diuretics;
• tranquilizers;
• oral contraceptives that have a high estrogen content.

Therefore, if you cannot stop taking any medications, consult your doctor about the risk of photodermatitis when taking them.

Causes of sun allergies

In most cases, an adverse reaction to ultraviolet radiation from the sun occurs in people with a skin phytotype called Celtic. They hardly tan under the sun, only reacting quite sharply to it.

Skin allergy symptoms are provoked by substances in the human body such as photosensitizers and photoreactive agents. They are activated after exposure to ultraviolet rays on the outer cover. They can be either natural from the sun or artificial from lamps or solariums.

Phototoxic reactions in the human body can be caused by various provoking substances. They can be contained in completely different cosmetics and medications. In order to protect yourself from allergies, it is very important to know the names of products that can adversely affect your health. They are:

• Personal hygiene products. Most often, potentially dangerous substances that cause sun allergies are contained in antibacterial soap;
• Cosmetics and perfumes. In most cases, this applies to lotions, lipsticks, colognes and deodorants. This group also includes many creams that contain nut oil, as well as essential oils of plants such as caraway, dill and bergamot;
• Sunscreens. Despite the fact that such creams and ointments are supposed to protect against ultraviolet radiation, in some cases they lead to severe allergic reactions to the sun. First of all, this applies to products whose ingredients include PABA;
• Nutritional supplements. Caution should be exercised when using various sweeteners;
• Household chemicals. First of all, mothballs are potentially dangerous;
• Medications. Quite often, the problem occurs not only during immediate medication use, but even after some time. It can be quite long - from several weeks to several months after the last pill taken or injection given. This is explained by the fact that some substances are eliminated from the human body very slowly, accumulating in the organs;
• Products for tattoos. This is due to the fact that paints often contain a substance such as cadmium sulfate. It is also capable of causing a photosensitization effect.

Separately, two diseases should be highlighted, which are based on such pathology as photodermatosis. They are the following ailments:

• Gunther's disease, another name for which is erythropoietic porphyria. The cause of this pathology is a mutation of a recessive gene, as a result of which sick people practically turn into vampires. They develop a fear of daylight due to the fact that it causes damage to the skin. The skin of such people is quite pale, and the eyebrows and eyelashes are thick. Often the urine and tooth enamel of patients with Gunther's disease are pink in color;
• Pellagra. This disease is also quite rare. Its development is due to the fact that for some reason the human body does not receive a sufficient amount of nicotinic acid, that is, vitamin PP. This leads to roughness of the skin.

In each specific case, depending on the causes, sun allergy may have its own unique manifestations. It is from them that we need to build upon when treating the disease.

Symptoms of sun allergy

Sun allergy, like any other pathology, has a number of its own symptoms and signs. Conventionally, it is possible to distinguish local and general manifestations from them.

The main symptoms of photodermatosis:

• redness and inflammation of the skin;
• peeling of the skin;
• often accompanied by intense itching and burning;
• rashes can be in the form of folliculitis (pustules) or papules.

Often this condition does not develop immediately. Unlike a burn, it can occur several hours after you leave the beach, and in some cases even after returning from the resort. A phototoxic reaction can occur within a few hours of sun exposure, while a photoallergic reaction can occur even days after sun exposure.

General symptoms:

1. An increase in temperature indicates toxic compounds entering the bloodstream from the skin;
2. Dizziness;
3. A decrease in blood pressure as a result of allergen entering the bloodstream leads to fainting.

It should be noted that damage to minor areas of skin rarely leads to general symptoms of sun allergy. We’ll look at what to do if you find yourself with these symptoms below.

See also: how to apply sunburn at home.

Forms of sun allergies

The sun's rays can affect human skin in completely different ways. Doctors call this pathological influence a term such as photosensitivity. It comes in the following forms:

• Phototraumatic reactions. They are ordinary sunburns that appear on human skin after prolonged exposure to the sun. Similar consequences of being under the sun also occur in healthy people, so they are not any pathology or feature;
• Phototoxic reactions. The manifestations of this problem are also quite similar to sunburn. Symptoms in this case are swelling, the appearance of blisters on the skin and the appearance of erythema. A similar reaction occurs due to taking certain medications. This applies to both oral and injectable medications that contain photosensitizers;
• Photoallergic reactions. This pathology appears only in certain types of people whose body refuses to perceive ultraviolet radiation, identifying it as something pathogenic, hostile and unfavorable. As a result, both the skin and the mucous membranes of organs react appropriately to contact with the rays of the sun. The problem can manifest itself in various ways - in the form of papules, oozing, vesicles or lichenification. The last symptom is a certain type of rash, in which the skin pattern significantly increases, pigmentation is disrupted, grooves appear and roughness appears on the surface of the skin. This reaction is explained by certain immune disorders in the body of a sick person.

Not all people are allergic to the sun and its rays. There are some risk groups that are more susceptible to this disease than others. These include:

• people with endocrine diseases;
• people with liver or kidney problems;
• people with pathologies of the immune system.

In all of the above cases, it is important for patients to be extremely careful when in the sun.

What to do in this case?

Before treating a sun allergy, it is necessary to exclude other influencing factors. Sun allergy pills also help. These are antihistamines that relieve itching and eliminate swelling. You can buy them at your nearest pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.

However, the recommended dosage should be carefully followed. If allergic urticaria or, as sun allergy is also called, photodermatitis occurs, special measures should be taken to prevent the development of complications.

What do the doctor's say?

Experts warn that too much sun is harmful. Sunburn is considered a common phenomenon. They occur especially often in people with fair skin. They are at risk of getting skin cancer from the rays. This is due to the fact that people with fair skin produce less melanin.

Cosmetologists note that with prolonged exposure to the sun, its rays dry out the skin. As a result, premature wrinkles appear, which is caused by impaired collagen production.

The sun's rays in large quantities lead to overheating of the body and sunstroke. Symptoms of these conditions may vary. Usually there is a deterioration in health, dizziness, fever, loss of consciousness.

Ophthalmologists say that sun rays cause retinal burns. Prolonged exposure of the eyes to UV rays leads to cataracts. You can prevent this from happening by using quality sunglasses. You don't need to look directly at the sun yet. Large amounts of radiation weaken the immune system.

If you are allergic to the sun, you must take precautions. If you follow all the recommendations, your vacation will take place without negative consequences. Absolute intolerance to sunlight is a rare case, and even an allergic person can sunbathe carefully in the shade. If a person is unable to cope with his allergies on his own, then he must seek the help of a specialist.

Treatment of sun allergies

There is no universal cure for sun allergies. In therapy, it is important to take an individual approach. How to treat a sun allergy will depend on the location of the inflammation on the skin, the severity of the rash and the presence of general symptoms.

In most cases, the treatment program includes the following components:

1. Non-hormonal creams and ointments for external use: fenistil gel, desitin, etc.
2. Corticosteroid drugs: prescribed for severe forms of photodermatitis and only as prescribed by a doctor.
3. Ointments based on zinc, methyluracil, hydrocortisone.
4. Antihistamines: Suprastin, Tavegil, Erius, Cetrin and others (see allergy tablets of the latest generation).
5. Vitamin therapy, immunotherapy: the doctor prescribes immunostimulating drugs that will help strengthen the body’s defense reactions.
6. Enterosorbents: Polysorb MP, Polyphepan, Enterosgel. Helps quickly cleanse the body of toxins and allergens.
7. To restore liver function, the doctor prescribes hepatoprotectors: “Karsil”, “Glutargin”, “Silibor”, Gepabene” and other herbal preparations.

Treatment depends on the specific type of allergic reaction. In mild cases, simply avoiding the sun for a few days may be enough to relieve symptoms.

Photodermatitis, photodermatosis

Sun rays by themselves do not cause allergies, but in combination with certain factors, they cause photodermatosis, increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Photodermatids are divided into exogenous and endogenous.

Exogenous are caused by external factors, and endogenous by internal factors.

Factors that provoke the appearance of sun allergies can be phototoxic substances such as bergamot oil, antidiabetic and diuretic drugs, sulfonamides, and even disinfectants, as well as cosmetics and everything related to it.

Allergy to sun rays is also called “solar urticaria” or “solar herpes”.

This type of solar allergy usually occurs with prolonged exposure to bright sun.

If you have never had a sun allergy before, by following these simple tips, you can easily avoid its reoccurrence.

Prevention

If you have an allergy to the sun, what to do, how to deal with it? First of all, it is important to understand that any disease is better to prevent than to treat. That's why:

1. Medications containing photosensitizing substances should be used with caution.
2. Start sunbathing with short stays in the open sun; in the first days this should be only 10-15 minutes.
3. If you are predisposed to sun allergies, it is recommended to wear clothes made from natural fabrics, cut to protect the body from exposure to direct ultraviolet radiation.
4. If the allergy is chronic, before the start of the spring-summer season, you can start taking medications with photoprotective properties, naturally after consulting a doctor.

How to treat allergies with folk remedies?

If it is impossible to consult a doctor, you can try using folk remedies, which will help alleviate the pain and itching of the skin at first.

1. For example, use cucumber juice, potatoes or cabbage leaves, as they have softening properties and promote rapid healing of wounds and skin lesions.
2. Infusions of celandine and calendula are used to make cold compresses.

Many people do not know how to properly treat allergies and in most cases self-medicate, but this should not be allowed under any circumstances. After detecting the first signs of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor. By neglecting treatment, you can provoke the appearance of eczema, which is much more difficult to treat.

How to cope with sun allergies?

1.

Use UV protective creams and tanning lotions on your body 20 minutes before sun exposure, and after tanning and showering, apply a moisturizer designed to hydrate and protect your skin after exposure to sunlight.
2.
When leaving the water of the sea or river, blot the water, but do not wipe it off, since with a towel you will erase the protective layer of the cream and you will have to apply it again.
It is necessary to blot the body so that the water droplets do not become small lenses that intensify the sun's rays, which can burn the skin even more. 3.
Try to use decorative cosmetics, gels, creams, eau de toilette, and perfumes containing fragrance as little as possible, since under the influence of sunlight they all provoke the appearance of pigment spots of various colors, which disappear only after two to three weeks.
4.
If you have very sensitive skin, sunbathe in the shade, under an awning, avoid direct sunlight.
Let your tan not be bronze, but only golden, but you will avoid discomfort from burned skin, peeling and redness, elevated temperature, and so on. 5.
To eliminate mild sun allergies, ointments containing betamethasone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone usually easily solve the problem.
Do not relieve redness, burns, itching with folk remedies such as sour cream, vegetable oil, this will not help. Use special after-sun gels; they all contain anti-inflammatory substances, medicinal plant extracts, and skin-soothing and cooling additives. 6.
Drink at least two liters of still water a day, this will help remove toxic substances from the body and much more.

But if you are on a trip and the problem needs to be solved quickly and on the spot, and rashes ruin your entire vacation, then other tips will come in handy.

1.

Before your trip, buy antihistamines at the pharmacy and consult a dermatologist.
If you are taking contraceptives or antibiotics, pay attention to the label “causes photosensitivity” and try to replace them while you rest. 2.
If sun allergies occur, minimize sun exposure until the skin inflammation resolves.
3.
Try to support the liver with special medications that normalize its activity, as well as promote normal metabolism in the body and regeneration of the skin.
These are antioxidants, vitamins E, B, C, nicotinic acid, aspirin, indomethacin, claritin, and in extreme cases, suprastin and tavegil. 4.
Burning and itching are eliminated with ointments containing methirulacil, zinc, lanolin, as well as Zyrtec and Fenistil gel drops.
5.
Do not neglect treatment, sun allergies can cause eczema, which will be more difficult to cure.
6.
If you are in the resorts of Turkey or Egypt, contact your doctor immediately; they are familiar with these types of skin reactions to the sun and will be able to quickly relieve inflammation, and you can calmly continue your vacation. At the “reception” at the hotel they will tell you which doctor to see, how to get there, and it is possible that there is a doctor in this hotel.

Don’t think that sun allergies are forever and now you won’t be able to fully spend your holidays in the open sun. By finding the cause of your sun allergy and eliminating it, you can say goodbye to it forever, so your best sunny days are yet to come.

And many children simply “outgrow” this problem as they get older.

Have a nice holiday!

Author: Kasimova Ekaterina

Based on site materials: https://www.inmoment.ru/

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Allergy to the sun - psychosomatics

Naturally, everyone who suffers from allergies wants to learn as much as possible about this disease and, of course, be cured. It should be noted that in addition to biological causes and various external factors, psychosomatics (human emotions) play an important role in the process of allergic reactions. It’s one thing when a person develops an allergy in old age due to sludge in the body, which requires systemic cleansing of the blood, intestines, and liver. A completely different option is when a person contains a lot of false attitudes, fears, negative emotions, and doubts in his head.

Most likely, everyone has once noticed the fact that after a long period of emotional overstrain or severe stress, he, as a rule, fell ill with something. At a young age, these are usually colds, the root cause of which a person finds in natural irritants for him - freezing, draft, water from the refrigerator, air conditioner blowing, etc. At an older age, when a person is already endowed with some kind of chronic diseases, their manifestation is written off as a normal predictable exacerbation and is taken for granted without surprise.

In fact, the reason may lie in a strong emotional weakening of the body, which provokes a decrease in human immunity. Thus, the causes of sun allergy can be various phobias and fears, panic attacks, mental explosion and severe antagonism. Manifestations of this type of allergy can occur at moments when you feel extremely uncomfortable while sunbathing on the beach in a swimsuit, ashamed of your body. Or you are very annoyed by the fact that you have pale skin that instantly burns in the sun, and there are so many beautiful tanned bodies around. The reasons can be very diverse. Carefully analyze everything yourself, find the reason within yourself.

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Features of allergies in adults and children

Allergies start faster and more often in children. In an adult, photodermatitis can begin at any time in life. Signs of an allergic disease appear even in those who have never suffered from such abnormalities:

An adult will see signs of an allergic reaction immediately. Within a few hours or days, you may notice a rash, burning and itching. These symptoms can bother a person for about three weeks if no measures are taken. Rashes in the form of folliculitis or papules may appear.

How severe the symptoms of an allergy will be depends on a large number of factors: the general health of the patient, hereditary diseases, skin color, how intense the rays of the sun were under which the person was. This condition can be worsened by the food consumed by the sick person.

Children more often suffer from solar dermatitis, as they have their own characteristics in the structure of the body and internal systems. Parents should know what the symptoms of solar dermatitis are in order to consult a doctor in time and begin treatment. If there are signs of illness, then you need to limit the child’s exposure to the sun and go to the pediatrician. Children under one year of age are even more susceptible to exposure to ultraviolet rays.