Allergic to the sun!!!!

epatolles

utopiah wrote: »

Thanks for the advice but how do you explain then that in the last 9 years my skin does not ever break out in a rash during july august and september. I know that it does not permently solve the problem and desensitizing has to be carried out every spring for every year as in the winter the skin will not be exposed to the sun in this country and reverts back.. Just a thought perhaps someone knows the answer to this. I have read lots of info and desensitisation does work just needs to be done year on year out.

evidently you must have a better doctor to be referred every year!

utopiah

hi all
if anyone thinks that they have pmle then google pmle symptons or pmle treatment. There isn't a cure only preventitive measures can help. Treatment has to be repeated every year and sun cream has to be applied as this allergy is a reaction to uva/uvb light, however the skin usually goes through a hardening process where it becomes temperarily immune. However because the skin is not exposed during winter months this immunity disappears hence reoccurance the following year.

marrowgirl

Hi All,

I've been suffering from this for years and thought I was the only one! Definately going to try the Piz Buin and some of the other advice. At the moment I just hide when the sun comes out, like a vampire! Antihistamines just make me sleepy (even the non drowsy ones) and my GP wasn't very interested. It does seem to have improved a bit as I have got older though.

utopiah

hi marrowgirl
I also thought i was the only one with this and until now I thought it was prickly heat. I would look at people whilst on holiday to see if anyone else had this horrendous rash but never did see anyone!!! I love the sun and cant bear to think that i can never sit in it again without this rash occuring. In away i am relieved that i have read the info on the net about pmle and that i can try things that may or may not help. I have read that a lot of gps just tell you to avoid the sun but thats not always possible. For the last few days i have not ventured out wihout applying piz buin and re apply 20 mins pre going outside. so far i havent had a rash but there has been some cloud cover the last few days. Only time will tell!!!!! Let me know how you get on with the sun cream, fingers crossed it will work

xxvickixx

I had this from aged 18 to about 23. I think P20 sorted it out or maybe O grew out of it. While I suffered I took antihistamines and used Larnacane (sp?) in a yellow bottle, it's like talc but soothed the itch. Ice cubes helped take the burn away and calamile lotion. Cold baths temporarily helped too.

I can't describe the agony it's horrible and so much worse at night, I hope you other sufferes grow out of it like I did.

misstipsycake

utopiah wrote: »

hi all
if anyone thinks that they have pmle then google pmle symptons or pmle treatment. There isn't a cure only preventitive measures can help. Treatment has to be repeated every year and sun cream has to be applied as this allergy is a reaction to uva/uvb light, however the skin usually goes through a hardening process where it becomes temperarily immune. However because the skin is not exposed during winter months this immunity disappears hence reoccurance the following year.

That's exactly it! As a child I used to get this rash around Easter time for a week or two on my face, arms, back of hands etc, then eventually I would become 'immune' and could more or less enjoy the rest of the summer !

I have never met anyone else with this irl - although it's good to know there are others, at the same time I can't believe there are so many of us with this awful skin condition. M x

jewlls

I have a similar problem, my skin becomes itchy on the chest but the next day they become small spots . I get this even when i wear sun cream.

nais

hello piz buin allergy is on bogof at boots at the mo, just stocked up for the summer hth:)

dawnybabes

Have used Piz Buin allergy now for about 10 years and touch wood have never had it since. I seem to be able to cope with the hottest/sunniest days here but as soon as I go abroad it flares up. Remember spending one holiday in Malta in the pool for about 80% of day time hours, I read/ate/drunk in the pool only venturing out for a pee !

Mine was worse on the tops/inside of thighs and forearms and by god I could rub it for England. First time I got it I was told by pharmacist abroad to rub pure alchohol on it ???

Ironically I tan really easily (never burn) and keep my colour for months and months

Lizzy

I guess I have been allergic to the sun for ever, no rash for most of that time but a bad feeling of being burnt in just a couple of minutes when everyone else was enjoing it. It felt to me like having a hot poker put on my skin.
Seven years ago every late Feb or early March I started to develop a bad itchy rash on my right hand my doc or I could not understand it and he prescribed steroid cream which sorted it out but it was awful and my skin was almost falling off. Each year a different area started to suffer, my left hand, elbows, knees and lower back and last year took a long time to treat and go. The doc sent me off to the hospital to see a dermatologist. They said I was allergic to the sun (even though the rash had gone then they went by my docs notes). They knew this because of the time of year it was coming and that it started with my right hand and it was the sun coming through the window in the car while I was driving. This makes so much sense now !I had started to think it was a type of fungus or something that liked the spring .

My treatment was a surprise, I had to wait until January and I had to go to the hospital for Narrowband Light Treatment. This involved going 3 times a week for 4 weeks (others may differ). On my first visit a set of sun strengths were placed on my back for 28seconds. They were numbered and I went back a few days later for them to tell me what strength of light I would have. I was put in a Sunshower (like a stand up sun bed) totally naked for WAIT FOR THIS 16 seconds :eek: yes a whole 16 seconds. Each time I went it was increased by 20%. At 4 weeks I was up to 130seconds. This should have been more but during the last week I was finding it too much, I was starting to feel sunburnt at night and very red. No rash developed and it is now May 7th and I have no rash anywhere :j. This is the first time in 7 years that it has not come so I think it has worked. The idea is to give a minimum exposure without triggering it which will build up a resistance to the sun.

I am very very pleased with the results so far but I have to say the drawback of the treatment is the commitment needed to go 3 times a week for 4 weeks and other peoples treatment may be longer. Also the treatment needs to be repeated every year !!!!.

I did ask if I could do it myself by the use of a sunbed and they were so fast to say NO as the Narrowband is different and has to be precise measured and timed.

I am very very fair skinned and would like to know if no one minds their skin type and colour. I am also allergic to sticky tape (elastoplast) that pink stuff. That brings me out in a rash. Is anyone else allergic to anything else as well ?