EXTREME itchy sunburn relief question

I have a condition that will occur if I get a sunburn in the early summer accidently without any kind of base sun exposure in a lower quantity. The burn is never a problem as it hurts as any good sunburn will, but 48 hours later the itching will begin. I can tell you that that this is not a normal "itch" as one might experience from a typical itch, but moreover an itch from "hell". I found a forum that describes it quite well and is almost a support group of sorts. This is the first I've heard about other people experiencing the same tourture I've felt and can articulate it better than I.

The message board is : http://***.*****.***/***/*****.****/med/2923/Sunburn-extreme-itch#bdd2dd6c6be00uwe

I'm hoping that some expert could read this and diagnose what the heck is going on with all of us. Again this is NOT a little itchy skin occurs with any healing process. You have to recalibrate your pain scale when if you've experienced this. I'm just happy I found the mb above that had others who experienced a similar situaiton. We're all desprately looking for remedies but steady heat seems to be the best solution.

Suggestions on what may be going on here?

Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such symptoms are due to solar urticaria. It is the development of hives minutes after exposure to the sun, which resolve in less than 1 hour.

Apply a good sunscreen with minimum spf 30 atleast half an hour before going out in the sun. You can take non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine or Loratadine(Claritin) when the rash appears. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms. You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. Also apply calamine lotion and a mild steroid cream like dermacort on the rash.

To prevent solar urticaria in future, desensitization using phototherapy and photochemotherapy are often advised. In this we try to decrease the amount of exposure by gradually increasing exposure to the form of radiation that brings about the reaction.

Please discuss this treatment option with your dermatologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.