Sun Sensitivity?

[lizmarinelli]

My upper arms on the outer side gets very red (looks sunburned but I stay out of the sun). I live in Florida. When I lived in NJ I would get poison ivy and have a hard time getting rid of it. After living in Fl for 3 years my arms became itchy. Not unbearable but bad enough to see a dermatologist who told me I am alergic to the sun - stay out of sun and wear sun block. I stay out of the sun. It is five years later. I went to a second dermatologist who took a biopsy of one of the itchy bumps that have become a new symptom. She told me I have a drug alergy and I should have my primary physician change my medications. I told her the only drug I take is lorazapam. I went to an alergy doctor after this who told me the report on the biopsy does not mean that I am alergic to a drug but I should start taking Doxepin which makes me feel like I am really on drugs but I still wake up in the middle of the night scratching. I understand my skin is sensitive. It seems that no doctors can really help. It does not look like strange skin - just a little red and slightly bumpy but very itchy. Not dry. Not scabby unless I scratch myself silly and bleed. If any help exists please tell me - is it the alergist who can help or a dermatologist? Thanks

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

What you could do is take the medication - doxepin - indiacted for allergies nad itching, for a few days and see if it helps in resolution of your symptoms.

The side effects are seen in very rare cases and on prolonged use of the drug.

Get an eye examination before the medication to be sure about the status.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

[lizmarinelli]

I went to a second dermatologist who took a biopsy of one of the itchy bumps that have become a new symptom. She told me I have a drug alergy and I should have my primary physician change my medications. I told her the only drug I take is lorazapam. I went to an alergy doctor after this who told me the report on the biopsy does not mean that I am alergic to a drug but I should start taking Doxepin which makes me feel like I am really on drugs but I still wake up in the middle of the night scratching. I understand my skin is sensitive. The last doctor I went to was an allergist who prescribed the Doxepin. Told me it did not look like a drug allergy.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

What does the biopsy report say?

What medication is being prescribed?

Keep us posted.

Regards.

[lizmarinelli]

I consulted two dermatologists. Antihistmines do not help. Calamine lotion, benedryl lotion, cortizone creams ease the symptom for a short time. I can pour ice on it also to ease the itch for a few minutes. I am trying to understand, my doctor wants me to take a medication that one of the side effects is blindness - not probable but a possible side effect. I don't want to risk my sight to stop the itch for a medication that may not be the answer. I have had a biopsy and I don't understand why two doctors reading the biopsy report say different things.
Thank you.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It would be best to avoid sun exposure and consult a dermatologist.

It first needs to be identified that what are the skin lesions and what is the probable diagnosis. Any treatment can only then be started.

Do antihistamine medications help with your symptoms? Have you tried using calamine lotion?

Let us know about how you are doing and what your doctor advises.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.