itchy skin bumps after weeks of sun exposure

[fabomom]

I get a very itchy rash on the back of my hands, tops of my feet and on my knees when I have been in the sun for a long time.  Like usually by the end of summer or as a child my family used to rent a beach house and always by the end of the week this rash would appear. The rash is extremely itchy and it looks like small blisters as I itch the area.  I have read all the previous sites I could find and they all describe a sun allergy where the rash appears as soon as they get into the sun but mine comes after long periods of time.  It eventually goes away after staying out of the sun for several days but it will ruin any vaca. and usually summer ends with this.  I also usually where sunscreen and that doesn't help it either.  PLEASE HELP!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like solar urticaria.
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 please consult an allergist and discuss about allergy shots.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[itchyscratchy29]

I'm 29 years old and have olive skin, I have always laid out and never had a sun burn until 2 years ago. Now every time I go on vacation I come back with a rash so painful and itchy I have a hard time doing anything. All the doctors tell me is its an allergy ( duh! ) and that i just have to take benedryl. So my question is this, Do I have to live with this until my 40's which is when it's supposed to subside or Is there a shot I can take to avoid it?