The first symptoms appear a few minutes after exposure, in the form of pimples.
Does your skin itch you? Buttons appear? You are probably allergic to the sun. This allergy is a sign of a reaction from the immune system to exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV). If the majority of solar creams protect the skin from UVB, they only partially protect against UVA. People whose skin phototype is most clear are more at risk of suffering:
- People at clear skin
- People elderly
- THE children
- THE women
- Pregnant women are likely to suffer from a pregnancy mask.
3 types of allergies in the sun
The term “solar allergy” brings together three different events: lucite, solar hives and photosensitization.
► Benigne summer lucite. It appears less than 12 hours after an intense solar exposure. It reaches the areas exposed to the sun such as neckline, arms, shoulders, top of the feet, legs, etc. in the form of small red pimples that itch. “”The polymorphic lucite is also triggered several hours after exposure in the form of vesicles which appear on the exposed areas. It can also appear with small sunnyness“Reports Dr. Michael Naouri, dermatologist.
► Solar hives occurs just after the start of the exhibition. It affects women more often between 20 and 40 years old. It manifests itself in hives and high itching. The person sometimes feels a feeling of tingling and/or burns before the appearance of symptoms. Other symptoms can then appear as headache, a feeling of discomfort. The heart rate can rise and hypotension is possible.
► There chemical photosensitization is the result of the meeting between the sun’s rays and a chemical as a medication. Medicines can cause abnormal skin reactions when exposure of all or part of the body to UV radiation. These drugs are said to be photosensitizing when they change the skin of colors or appearance.
How long does it last?
Generally, the symptoms of an allergy to the sun spontaneously regress as soon as the exposure is stopped:
► In less than 24 hours if it is a hives linked to the sun
► In 5 to 15 days in the event of Lucite, provided you do not re-expose yourself to the sun.
Photos of an allergy to the sun
Treatments: What to do in case of allergy to the sun?
The first thing to do if an allergy is declared is to be in the shade and no longer expose to the sun. To reduce burns sensations, it is also advisable to generously spray soothing thermal water Several times a day. If the itching is important, a doctor may prescribe a cream made from corticosteroids and antihistamines. There are also creams based on calendula or aloe vera can appease itching. In homeopathy, the recommended remedies are muriaticum acidum 7 CH, 3 granules 3 times a day until symptoms + mellifica 5 hp symptoms, 3 granules every hour as long as the lesions persist. All like adults, children can suffer from an allergy to the sun. They must be protected with index 50, put back regularly, avoid the hottest hours and expose them very gradually in the sun
You have to cover the skin so that it is not exposed:
- put a T-shirt that protects the arms, the neckline too
- Wear a hat on a large edge for the face
- protect the legs, feet and always have a sunscreen (index 50 minimum) “which protects from UVA and UVB“” Recommends the dermatologist and renew the application every 2 hours.
► THE Carotenoid drugs can represent significant help for people embarrassed by the sun. They must be taken 1 to 2 weeks before the start of the exhibition and during the exhibition. They are sold in pharmacies without a prescription: the doctor’s opinion is nevertheless advised.
► Para amino-benzoic acid is recommended for the prevention of benign summer lucite. The treatment must start 15 days before the start of solar exposure and extend during the exposure. Vitamin PP is also sometimes recommended to relieve allergy to the sun.
► “”Synthetic antimalarials represent the reference treatment for the prevention of lucitis. The treatment must be started 7 days before the start of the exhibition and continued for the duration of the exhibition “, Details Dr. Naouri. An ophthalmological assessment is necessary before the medication is started.
► Antihistaminic drugs are useful for the prevention of symptoms of solar hives or benign lucitis but also to alleviate the effects of skin manifestations. Antihistaminic drugs oppose the effects of histamine inflammatory substance released during the allergic reaction. Attention : Antihistamine drugs can cause side effects, the best known of which is drowsiness. Even if the 2nd generation antihistamines cause fewer side effects, some allergies nevertheless signal these effects. Some antihistamines are contraindicated at certain periods of pregnancy. Cortisone creams can relieve itching and reduce the intensity of the eruption.
Thanks to Dr. Michael Naouri, dermatologist.
