Hello,
Solar urticaria is diagnosed by phototesting. For cholinergic urticaria, some physicians will perform skin testing to methacholine, a chemical that may cause a positive test in people with cholinergic urticaria.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
Hi Dr Kaur,
I recently learnt that my relative has Higher Blood pressure problem which is possibly the reason for this skin issue. What are your thoughts on it ?
Thanks doctor for the input.Is there any blood test or skin test that could be done to confirm this?
Hello,
One possibility for such a rash is of solar urticaria. It is the development of hives minutes after exposure to the sun, which resolve in less than 1 hour.
Ask your relative to apply a good sunscreen with minimum spf 30 atleast half an hour before going out in the sun. He 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. He 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.
To prevent solar urticaria in future, desensitization using phototherapy and photochemotherapy are often advised. In this we try to decrease the amount of exposure by gradually increasing exposure to the form of radiation that brings about the reaction.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
Anyone ? Any ideas/experiences ?Any tests that could be done ?