Sun rash?

[kelze014]

I have spent most of my life out in the sun ever since I was little.  Recently I was out in the sun and I noticed that little red bumps had appeared all over my arms.  My mom thought it was a heat rash but i looked that up and none of the sites said anything about them being on arms.  I stayed inside mostly the next day and then were gone.  Then today I went to the beach and after being out a while i noticed that they were all over my arms, front and back, on the tops of my hands, all over my legs front and back and also on the top of my feet.  What could this be from and how do I get rid of it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like 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.If the symptoms persist then pls consult an allergist.

I sincerely hope that helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.