Itchy Skin from exposure in the sun

[Nik-Bal]

Posted by Nik Ball on July 21, 1999 at 11:26:25
Hi
I live in Liverpool in the UK where we dont get that much sun but even at home I suffer from this condition. It often occurs when I visit a hot country.
I have fairly tanned skin but when I get say an afternoon in the sun the tops of my forerms develop a rash and get really itchy. The rash seems to develop at each skin pore, each becomes swollen giving my arm the appearance of a chicken leg.
I was told to rub E45 cream (water based moisturiser) in but this made no difference whatsoever.
I have suffered from this condition for a number of years and would like to find out what it could be and what I can do to treat it

Posted by DERM M.D. ASR on July 22, 1999 at 11:23:20
Nik:
It's hard to say without seeing the rash.  If you use sunblock, does the rash stay away?  Does it ever appear when you're just hot but not sun-exposed?
The "bumps in every pore" you describe sound like blocked follicles, or folliculitis, which is related to retention of sweat within the pores, rather than sun effect per se.
In any case, I think you'll need to show the rash to someone to get definitive diagnosis and treatment.  Meantime, why not try using sunscreen (SPF 25 or more) and see if that helps prevent it.
Best.
Dr. R
Keywords: folliculitis
Posted by Crystal on July 27, 1999 at 01:31:03
Hello, sorry to butt in, but your condition sounds sort of like mine:
I'm a strawberry blonde, with fair, but freckled skin. I NEVER tan, only burn. I'm prone to brown moles and large, oddly-shaped freckles, because I work with my horses out in the sun. Since birth, however, I've had these little, red "things" (not a bump, more like a red freckle) on my skin. At first, they were just few and far between on my hands, then I noticed how they seemed to be multiplying. For example, if I ride in tight, abrasive denim jeans and sweat, I'll have them ALL OVER my thighs, just like they're pores, but they aren't raised, just there. My legs will itch for about three days, and in a week, they're gone without a trace. BUT- the ones on my hands and arms that I've had a long while- if I TOUCH them, they erupt blood, just like a jugular vein! Just an hour past, I had an itch on my hand, and scratched it. In seconds my whole hand was dripping from one teensy, pinhole-sized mark.
What on earth is this? Is it from the sun? My complexion? Heredity (only my mother has them. no one else)?
Just wanted to let you know I go through the same stuff, only.. bloodier. Sorry to ramble on!
If anyone knows what this "thing" is, or can help, thank you. I know it sounds wierd, but I took two photos of "it", just in case anyone might know something. Here are the urls:
http://www.angelfire.com/il/morehorsiefriends/images/notherdamnspot.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/il/morehorsiefriends/images/outoutdamnspot.jpg

Posted by Derm M.D. ASR on July 27, 1999 at 20:56:11
Crystal:
Thanks for your fascinating note.  The photograph is also quite helpful (amazing, in fact.)
You seem to be describing two different things, neither of which reminds me, at least, of Nik's problem.
The first one, red bumps which appear after exercsing in tight clothing and go away, sounds like folliculitis, which is just a fancy way of saying clogged pores.  No treatment needed (or available.)
As for the bleeding red bumps present since birth, that, and the accompanying photo, sound like a genetic disorder knows as Hereditary Hermorrhagic Telangiectasia (also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease.)
Now I'm sure you understand that I can't diagnose you from here.  I therefore suggest that you contact the Dermatology department of a medical center near you.  The condition I suspect may sometimes cause nosebleeds and bleeding elsewhere, and you ought to be evaluated for it for diagnosis, possible treatment and perhaps genetic counseling.
Good Luck, and thanks for writing.
Dr. R.
Keywords: telangiectasia, hereditary telangiectasia, folliculitis, Osler-Weber-Rendu, Rockoff
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Specific questions you have pertaining to your health should always be directed to your
personal physician.

[Delvin]

A related discussion, forearms sensitive to the sun - What to do? was started.