Sun allergy

What is sun allergy?

Sun allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is present in sunlight and in the light from a tanning bed. If your skin is hypersensitive to UV radiation, red bumps, spots or even blisters may appear several hours to days after sun exposure. This happens only on the parts of the skin exposed to sunlight.

Some people are more sensitive to sun allergy than others. For example, people with fair skin color, red or blond hair and light eyes have a higher risk. It is also common in people who suddenly spend a lot of time in the sun in the spring, such as during a vacation to a sunny destination.

What do you notice with sun allergy?

Sun allergy can manifest itself in different ways. These are the main symptoms:

• Red, itchy bumps or vesicles on the skin.
• Spotty spots that appear mainly on skin that has been in the sun, such as your arms, neck or face.
• Itching that can sometimes be very unpleasant.
• The spots usually appear a few hours to days after exposure to the sun.

Some people get the bumps mainly on the ears. This is called "spring ears" because it often occurs in spring. Young boys in particular sometimes suffer from this.

How does sun allergy occur?

Sun allergy is caused by hypersensitivity to UV radiation in sunlight. This sensitivity can occur just suddenly, even if you have never had problems with the sun before. It usually happens when your skin is not yet used to sunlight, such as in spring or after a long winter.

In addition, certain substances can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. Examples include plants such as hogweed, perfumes with ingredients such as musk or sandalwood, and certain medications such as antibiotics. If you stop using these substances, the allergic reaction often disappears on its own.

What can you do to prevent sun allergy?

Unfortunately, there is much you can do yourself to prevent another outbreak of sun allergy. It is important to let your skin get used to sunlight slowly and to protect yourself properly from UV radiation. Here are some tips:

• Let your skin get used to the sun: For example, start with just 20 minutes a day in the sun and build up slowly. This helps your skin cope better with sunlight.
• Avoid the sun at the hottest part of the day: The sun is strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Try to seek shade or wear protective clothing during these hours.
• Protect your skin with clothing: Cover your skin with long sleeves, a hat or cap to avoid direct exposure.
• Use sunscreen: Choose a cream with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and apply it generously to the skin 15 minutes before going out into the sun. Remember to reapply every two hours, and after swimming or sweating.

What can you do if you already have bumps?

If, despite precautions, you still develop bumps or itching after sun exposure, there are a few things you can do:

• Stay out of the sun: Make sure your skin is not re-exposed to the sun until the bumps are gone.

• Use a cooling cream or gel: You can use a gel or cream with levomenthol, for example, to soothe the itching. You can buy these without a prescription at the pharmacy or drugstore.

  Levomenthol against itching
  Levomenthol is a cooling substance that helps reduce itching. It is available both over-the-counter and by prescription in the form of creams or gels. It provides a cooling effect on the skin, which helps to make itching more bearable.

• Consult your doctor for additional help: If the itching is bothering you a lot, the doctor may prescribe a stronger cream. Sometimes the GP prescribes corticosteroids or even prednisone in severe cases.

  Corticosteroid cream for inflammation
  If the rash is more severe, the GP may prescribe a corticosteroid cream. This cream helps to reduce the inflammatory reaction in the skin and relieve itching. Corticosteroids suppress the inflammatory response, so the skin recovers faster. This cream is available only by prescription and is usually only used for a short time, up to a week.

  Prednisolone for severe symptoms
  In exceptional cases, if the symptoms are very severe, the doctor may prescribe prednisolone. This is an anti-inflammatory drug taken in pill form. Prednisolone suppresses inflammation and relieves itching. This drug is usually only prescribed for a short time because of possible side effects such as stomach upset. Prednisolone is also available by prescription only.

What can we do for you?

If you have a sun allergy, we at the pharmacy can be of great help with advice and products. We offer cooling gels and creams as mentioned above, with levomenthol, which you can buy without a prescription to relieve itching. We can also help you choose the right sunscreen, so you can be well protected in the sun.

If the symptoms have not subsided after a week or if you have severe symptoms such as fever or pain, it is wise to contact your doctor. Sometimes the family doctor can refer you to a dermatologist for further treatment, such as light therapy. This involves gradually exposing the skin to UV light so that you become less sensitive to sunlight.