Sun allergies are very rare, but there are some people who are prone to a rash after exposure to sunlight. You can suffer from various types of allergies, but polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is the most common. It is an autoimmune condition that erupts after sunlight exposure.
Since there are various other allergies, it becomes complicated for you to identify if it is PMLE. This kind of rash can be itchy and burning that may show up on your skin within hours or within a period of two to three days after exposure to sunlight. It may last for up to two weeks. The rash appears on parts exposed to sunlight, and this does not just include the face. Neck, chest, and arms are also vulnerable.
You may have raised tiny bumps with a size between 2mm and 5mm on your skin surface. It will likely be in the form of a patch with red or pink spots. However, redness will not be clearly visible in the browns and people of colour.
These dry patches can turn larger and may look a bit like eczema. People often misunderstand it as prickly heat. The fact is that it is the result of warm weather or overheating, while PMLE is the result of sun exposure. You can have prickly heat even in areas like body folds and full back when you do not expose it to the sunlight.
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When your body gets symptoms?
It depends on your body. It can appear rarely, or it may show up every time you expose to the sunlight. It may take 20 minutes to emerge. When you are sunbathing, you are more likely prone to this rash.
However, you can get it even if you are sitting in thin clothing near a window. Some people have a very sensitive immune system; sunlight absorbed through thin clothing can affect that area.
Studies have reported that most of the people get PLME after several hours. However, if you try to avoid the sun, the rash will settle down and disappear without leaving a scar within a couple of weeks. It is not necessary that it will return when you are exposed to sunlight.
However, it is vital to bear in mind that the rash may exacerbate if you expose to sunlight before it heals properly. Some dermatologists have revealed that this problem may arise in many people in spring and remain throughout autumn.
The most affected group of people with white skin. However, it may affect people of dark skin as well. The most common age group affected by it is between 20 and 40. It rarely occurs in children.
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What are the causes of PLME?
It is not passed down from generation to generation, yet one in five people has reported that they have a relative being affected by this condition.
The most common cause of PLME is UV light. These are harmful rays, and that you all know. They can alter a substance in the skin to which the immune system responds, and therefore the affected area gets inflamed. This patch is not contagious.
Tips for preventing the sun rash
Many conditions are out there that have no cure at all, and PLME is one of them. However, you can prevent yourself from suffering from a dry, itchy patch by taking certain kinds of medication and following preventive measures.
1. Avoid the sun
Avoiding exposing yourself to sunlight can prevent you from getting this sort of rash. Try to avoid it at peak hours between 11 am and 4 pm. In these hours, harmful sun rays are at their strongest, and if your skin is extremely sensitive, you are highly prone to PLME.
If you cannot avoid being outdoors at this time, you should wear protective clothing. If you fully cover your body, you can easily prevent yourself from this rash.
2. Use sunscreen lotion
A lot of sunscreen lotions are on the shelves, and you get confused about which one you should use. The fundamental formula of making a sunscreen lotion can never change regardless of the company’s tag it has got.
All sunscreen lotions are the same, and they work in the same way. Do not focus on advertisements that involve outlandish claims to stand out. SPF matters because it is a substance that decides how strongly it can prevent your skin from its rays.
Choose SPF 30 or above. Make sure you apply it on your exposed skin, such as your face, neck and arms, at least 15 minutes before going outside. It is imperative to understand the correct quantity of sunscreen you should use at a time.
Most people do not apply sufficient sunscreen. An adult needs two teaspoons of sunscreen to apply on the face, neck and arms. If you are sunbathing, you need up to two tablespoons of sunscreen to pour over your body.
Sunscreen is not like a solid shield that acts like shade to prevent you from the damage of the sunlight. Regardless of your SPF amount, you cannot spend the whole day outdoors with just a one-time application. You should apply it every two hours. However, the frequency of applying sunscreen increases when you are standing or long time under the sun.
3. Use steroid creams and ointment
Consult your GP if you think you need medical assistance. Most people think it will go away automatically and do not consult a doctor as their fees are expensive. Well, you cannot pay for the consultation fees and medicines. Take out payday loans for the unemployed.
Your doctor will prescribe you some ointment creams to heal it quickly and ameliorate itching. Steroid creams or ointments are applied only when the rash is visible. Do not stop the usage unless your doctor asks you to do so.
4. Hardening your skin
Your doctor may ask you to harden or toughen your skin as it increases the resistance of your skin to UV rays. This process involves going out for a short period in the spring season. You will build the resistance over time.
Do not expose yourself to the sunlight for a long time just because you are to build the UV resistance quickly. Building resistance does not mean that you will not get PLME ever in your life. It means your skin will not be as much sensitive as it is now.
You can clearly understand how long you should stay under the sun to prevent it down the line. Note the effects of hardening are lost in the winter. You will have to put in the effort to build up resistance in the spring season every year.
- Associated problem
Researchers have stated that people with the risk of PLME are highly prone to vitamin D deficiency. In order to prevent yourself from deficiency, you should take supplements.
If you do not have enough money to buy supplements, you should take out guaranteed loans for the unemployed with direct lenders.
The bottom line
You can protect your skin from sun rash by following the tips mentioned above. Consult your doctor if it does not heal properly. If you need to borrow funds to pay for medication, consult an online lender but do proper research online.
To protect your skin from sun damage, you should follow the tips mentioned in this blog.
