Sun Allergies

[Milan2]

My skin is very sensitive to sun. I have blue eyes & pale skin, and am allergic to sun. My allergy is 'awaken' only when I burn my skin when I am on the beach or a similar place that has no tree or house shadows. Then I feel a sudden, very strong and irresistable rash all over the place that has been burnt by the sun. I cannot concentrate on anything else except to rash. I am then scrubbing that area usually with the towel but as I rub more, the rash intensifies!! Then I feel as I am going to freak out, since I cannot do anything else except to rub. Please, can anyone tell me how to cope with this?

[Kristy]

I have the same problem.  The rash can drive you insane!  I first got in while on vacation in Hawaii this year.  zi went to the local drugstore and they told me to use Cortisone cream topically and ALSO take Benadryl for allergies orally.  This relieved the pain almost immediately.  I still had to avoid the sun for the remainder of my vacation, though.  Best of luck to you all.

[Harriet L.]

My 9 year old son has developed a sun allergy and his itching has been keeping him up at night.  His pediatrician prescribed a low dose of Prednosone which seems to be slowly helping.  Is this something that he will need to deal with his whole life (ie. staying out of the sun) or has anyone heard of a person growing out of this sensitivity?

[Larry in Florida]

I too suddenly broke out in a few bumps that looked like I had been bitten by a bug. The bumps are hard underneath & then get a white blister that I end up scratching in my sleep that turn it into sores. I have tried all over the counter anti itch medicines, Aveeno, antibiotic creams, etc. I went to a dermatologist who said I have "Prurigo Nodularis." It is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. He has prescribed Allegra 180mg,Hydroxyz HCL 25mg, Diprolene AF 0.05%, & now Embeline 0.05 cream & Vibramycin 100mg, & I received a shot of cortizone. I wish I could tell you I have improved but I can't. I have been told to stay out of the sun that this could be a result of over exposure to the sun in my life (I am 47 & live in Florida) & that it could be a result of stress as well. (which I do have a lot of at the moment) My girlfriend has been trying to find information on the web for me but most of the good information is on the dermatologists web sites for doctors only. When the blisters heal they form a scar that is hard. I am still going to the dermatologist trying to stop this as it is spreading now in spite of all of the medicines. I was told you can get anywhere from 2 to 200 of these things & they itch like crazy & keep me up at night. I hope that this helps anyone that might have the same thing & if I come up with something that works I will post it.

[Cindy]

This is specifically for Lena...but a response to all...I was recently diagnosed with a sun allergy. It has gotten progressively worse over time. Initially SPF 30 could control it, but this last flair up, my face was so swollen that I could barely open my eyes. My doctor put me on a Methelpredisolone taper as well, and mine is improving, but steroids take time and should NOT be used other than prescribed, they can cause serious side effects if abused, nor should they be discontinued suddenly.

Good Luck to all,
Cindy

[A. Corridan]

I too suffer from sun allergy which is exremely uncomfortable and distressing during the shirt few months that I experience sunshine. I was always used to sunbathing in my youth and could tolerate the sun very well. I feel my problem started when I got a transfusion of 4 pints of blood after my 3rd child. My family doctor could not treat this allergy with anything other than steroids, which I refuse to use. I went to the Canary Islands on my holidayd one year and developed such a bad reaction to the sun that I had to see a doctor there. He gave me both an intramuscular antihistamine and intraveneous calcium over four days. By the 3rd day the rash had subsided and the itch had gone and I was able to enjoy the rest of my holiday. I have since told numerous doctors about this solution but they all remain unconvinced. Has anyone else used this treatment, please let me know.

[Lena Pewitt]

I have great sympathy for all of you.  Right now I am covered with whelps.  It will start off like a small bump(like an insect bite)and in no time at all it has spread all over my body.  Very INTENSE ITCHING AND PAIN AND BURNING.  It first started 5 years ago when I spent too much time out in the sun.  There was no relief until a pharmacist friend of my dads gave me "METHYLPREDISOLONE TABLETS".  The first dose is 6 tablets the first day, 5 the next day and so forth until they are gone.  This is the only relief for me.  It has only happened twice, right now is the 2nd time. I just started taking the pills last night, they helped for a while, I did get some sleep.  I'm writing this at 4 a.m. because I awoke itching in a misirable state.  Got up and soaked in Aveena, doesn't help much, but every little bit helps. Just took another pill and hoping it will give relief soon.  The only thing different this time is that I didn't spend any considerable time in the sun.  Don't what it is, I do know whatever it is is in my bloodstream and almost unbearable and some type of allergic reaction.  Don't let someone tell you that it is in your mind, I can't believe that.  Sorry this letter is so long.  
Lena