sun allergy

Quick Overview

• What is sun allergy? Usually no real allergy, but a hypersensitivity to UV radiation.
• symptoms: can vary individually, often itching, redness, blisters or blisters
• Treatment: Cool, moisturize, in severe cases, possibly medication or habituation by pre-irradiation by the doctor
• Causes: not finally clarified; are suspected allergens or free radicals (aggressive oxygen compounds)
• Diagnosis: Patient talk, light test
• Forecast: Over time, the skin gets used to the sun, the symptoms can then gradually become less. However, those affected will never be sun-allergic.

Sun allergy: description

Typical symptoms of sun allergy, such as itching and reddened skin, are similar to the symptoms of “true” allergies (such as nickel allergy). Actually, a sun allergy is usually no classic allergy, ie an overreaction of the immune system (exception: photoallergic reaction). Instead, the affected person’s body can no longer adequately protect themselves from the sun’s rays. Normally, it reacts to the sunlight with increased production of skin pigments: this so-called melanin leaves the skin looking brown and protects the genome in the cells from the damaging UV radiation in the sunlight, ie Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) and Ultraviolet B rays (UV-B). In a sun allergy, this protective mechanism of the skin is impaired. The consequences are, for example, itching, blisters or skin redness.

By far the most common form of sun allergy is the Polymorphic photodermatosis (PLD), In Germany, about 10 to 20 percent of the population suffer from it. Younger adults (women more often than men) as well as children are particularly affected.

Sun allergy in children

Some children also suffer from a sun allergy. Infants and babies should generally be creamed with a high sun protection factor before exposure to the sun. At this age, the body’s own protective mechanism against UV radiation is not yet mature. As a result, the little ones get faster sunburn or a sun allergy. The latter is the most common in the face. Particularly affected are the so-called “sun terraces” such as nose, forehead and chin. In adults, these spots are often already used to sunlight, but not in children. Therefore, a headgear (even in adults) is advisable – especially since it protects not only from a sun allergy, but also from a sunstroke.

Sun allergy: symptoms

The symptoms of a sun allergy vary, depending on severity and type. Sometimes they appear delayed, so it is not so easy for laymen to identify the sun as a “culprit”.

Around 90 percent of all cases of sun allergy makes them Polymorphic photodermatosis (PLD) out. She often affects fair-skinned, young women. Mostly it shows itself on those body parts, which are not used to the sun (cleavage, shoulders, neck, extended sides of the arms and legs). The symptoms can be individually very different (hence the name addition polymorph = vielgestaltig). In addition, they are often delayed: Only hours or days after exposure to the sun, this sun allergy causes complaints:

• The skin begins to itch and burn (itching).
• The skin is discolored, reddish spots (reddening of the skin) appear.
• It produces blisters, nodules or even blisters.
• The skin can swell.

In addition to polymorphic light dermatosis, there are other types of sun allergy, which express themselves slightly differently. This includes:

Phototoxic reaction: In doing so, chemical substances – so-called photosensitizers – make the skin more sensitive to light. Symptoms of sun allergy as well as an increased sunburn tendency are the consequences. Sometimes the phototoxic reaction is triggered by skin contact with photosensitizers (applying perfumes, touching photosensitizing plants, etc.). However, photosensitizers can also trigger the sun’s allergy via the bloodstream or the digestive tract, for example, some medicines and foods. The skin of those affected reacts to itching, burning pain or discoloration when exposed to sunlight. Even a strong sunburn can occur.

Photoallergic reaction: This rare form of sun allergy is a true light allergy (photoallergy). The body forms antibodythat is, antibodies that target a particular substance such as a drug (e.g., antibiotics), cosmetics, makeup, or a perfume. At the next exposure to sunlight, the antibodies will attack the substance – causing an allergic reaction. The symptoms of photoallergy are similar to those of the phototoxic reaction. A distinction between the different forms of sun allergy is therefore often difficult.

Mallorca Acne (Acne aestivalis): Also called summer acne. This form of sun allergy is considered a special form of polymorphic photodermatosis. It manifests itself in pinhead-sized lumps and patches of skin that itch violently. The nodules are similar to acne pustules. In fact, this form of sun allergy is especially common in people who are prone to acne or oily skin.

Solar urticaria (urticaria solaris): It is rare, but absolutely serious! In those affected, the skin shows an abnormal reaction to the sunlight – itchy wheals form, similar to after touching a stinging nettle. After a few minutes to hours they disappear again. If larger areas of the skin are affected, general symptoms such as nausea or drop in blood pressure (including dizziness) may be added.

Most often, the symptoms of sun allergy occur when the skin has long been exposed to sunlight. In the spring and in beach holidays on the beach is therefore often a sun allergy.

Treatment: sun allergy – what to do?

When symptoms of sun allergy occur, it is best to stay away from sunlight as much as possible. If this is not possible, you should cover the skin with clothing (long pants, long sleeves, hat) and use sunscreen with a sufficiently high sun protection factor (SPF). In photoallergic and phototoxic reactions, it is also necessary to avoid the triggering substance.

The symptoms of sun allergy can be alleviated with dairy products (eg a quark wrap) and – in severe cases – with medication:

Sun allergy treatment with dairy products: If the skin has been over-exposed to sun and reacts with a sun allergy, you should cool and moisturize it. Cooling envelopes with buttermilk, cottage cheese or yoghurt from the fridge do just that. The coolness causes the vessels to contract and possible swellings to fade away. The moisture helps the damaged skin to recover.

Drug therapy for sun allergy: Medicines are used in severe cases of sun allergy. So-called antihistamines in ointment or tablet form can relieve the itching, such as Majorca acne or solar urticaria. Sometimes the doctor prescribes too cortisone-containing preparationsto prevent the inflammatory reactions of the skin. This may be necessary in a photoallergic reaction.

If general symptoms such as nausea and drop in blood pressure occur in a solar urticaria, you should immediately contact a doctor!

Sun allergy: Preventive treatment

Sun allergy patients can do a lot to prevent itching, blistering & co.

Use sufficient sunscreen:

The important thing is that you always pay attention to adequate sun protection. Of course, this also applies if they have no sun allergy! UV rays increase the risk of skin cancer. Use a good sunscreen that provides at least the sun protection factor (SPF) 30. In addition, it should be as free as possible of preservatives and dyes.

Apply the sunscreen for about 45 minutes before going out into the sun. Then she has enough time to interact. How long the protection lasts can be estimated using the following formula: Self-protection factor (depending on skin type approx. 5-45 minutes) x SPF = protected minutes in the sun

In the case of sun protection factor (SPF) 30 and the light skin type common in Germany, this would mean: 10 minutes x 30 = 300 minutes. To be on the safe side, however, you should only spend 60 percent of this calculated time in the sun. By the way: If you sweat a lot or swim in between, you should cream off.

For signs of Mallorca acne, you should only use non-fat sunscreen products (such as special gels) and skin care products.

wear clothing:

Clothing also protects against the sun’s rays, especially if it’s made of a slightly translucent material. For example, hats, shawls and blouses can also keep UV rays partially off the skin on the beach.

Stay inside:

At noon, the radiation is most intense, which is why you should then prefer to stay in rooms. Windows usually keep a large part of the harmful rays off. Sun allergy patients may still need to apply protective films.

phototherapy:

For very strong sun allergy (such as severe polymorphic photodermatosis) phototherapy may be useful. Here, in the spring or some time before a planned holiday in the south, the skin is already getting used to the sunlight. For this purpose, it is irradiated in several sessions with increasing doses of UV light. Eventually, an active ingredient is applied, which makes the skin more sensitive to light. Then one speaks of photochemotherapy or PUVA (psoralen UV-A phototherapy).

You should never carry out a phototherapy on your own – in case of mistakes large-scale skin burns can develop! Leave the procedure to a dermatologist.

Catch free radicals:

Some experts believe that the most common solar allergy (polymorphic photodermatosis) is due to free radicals, so reactive oxygen compounds, may arise (see “causes”). They therefore recommend the use of so-called antioxidants (“radical scavengers”) to prevent the symptoms of sun allergy. It counts about calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, Vitamin E and Beta-carotene, The effectiveness of antioxidants could not yet be proven scientifically. Nevertheless, many sufferers report an improvement in symptoms. Discuss the intake of such radical scavengers in advance with your doctor.

Smokers should not take beta-carotene because it can increase the risk of lung cancer – which is already increased by the Niktoin anyway – even further.

Get help:

A sun allergy can affect the social life. Some sufferers suffer so much that they develop a depressive mood. What you should do then is to ask your doctor for advice and seek professional psychotherapeutic support if necessary.

Sun allergy: causes and risk factors

In the Polymorphic photodermatosis (PLD) If the protective mechanism of the skin does not work properly against UV rays: If the sun’s rays hit the skin, the body normally responds to this with the increased formation of melanin. This is a skin pigment that is supposed to protect the genetic material from damaging UV rays. The skin turns brown due to the melanin. People from southern countries, where the sun shines a lot, therefore generally have a darker skin color. The more often a body is exposed to the sun, the more it usually gets used to the harmful rays.

Not so with the polymorphic photodermatosis: The skin of those affected reacts here usually hypersensitive to the UV-A rays in sunlight. Sometimes the UV-B rays or both types of radiation are the cause of this solar allergy. The cause is unknown. But there are different explanations:

Some scientists believe that by the sun’s rays in the body allergens be formed. Allergens are substances that activate the immune system, so that it fights the supposedly harmful substance – as in a conventional allergy. However, this explanatory approach is not yet considered secure.

According to another theory, form under sunlight aggressive oxygen compounds (free radicals) in the skin, which is the cause of the sun allergy. They can damage cells and increase the risk of skin cancer. Free radical damage to skin cells could also activate the immune system, resulting in symptoms of polymorphic photodermatosis. However, this assumption could not yet be clearly proven.

The Phototoxic reaction is triggered by the interaction between UV-A light, human cells and a chemical substance. the latter may, for example, be a drug substance, certain ingredients of perfumes or cosmetics or plant substances (furocoumarins).

The Photoallergic reaction This is due to the fact that the immune system reacts allergic to certain substances under the influence of UV light. This can be, for example, ingredients of medicines or cosmetics, as in the phototoxic reaction.

The Mallorca acne is caused by the interaction of UV-A rays with components of fatty sunscreen or endogenous sebum in the uppermost layers of the skin. Whether the immune system is involved in this has not been conclusively confirmed.

The exact cause of urticaria is unclear. However, it is known that the symptoms are caused by the UV-A component in sunlight.

Sun allergy: examinations and diagnosis

If a sun allergy is suspected, the doctor will first discuss it with you To raise medical history (Anamnese). He inquires, for example, after

• the nature and course of the complaints
• a possible medication
• possible pre-existing conditions

In the vast majority of cases, the sun allergy is a polymorphic photodermatosis. Rarer is another form of sun allergy behind it. To ensure the diagnosis, the doctor can light test in which he has certain skin areas Ultraviolet light irradiated. In polymorphic photodermatosis the typical symptoms appear after a few hours on the treated areas.

In a sun allergy involving chemicals such as phototoxic reactions, the doctor may apply suspicious triggers (such as cosmetics ingredients) to appropriate skin areas and then irradiate them. With this Photo-patch test Find out what exactly causes the skin symptoms in combination with UV light.

If a light urticaria is suspected, the light test must be carried out very carefully: The symptoms, which usually appear within minutes, can be quite severe. Occasionally there are also severe general symptoms such as drop in blood pressure, circulatory shock and respiratory distress. Therefore, the test should only be performed on physicians equipped for such emergencies.

Sun allergy: disease course and prognosis

A sun allergy is unfortunately not curable. People who are hypersensitive to sunlight, accompanies this problem for a lifetime. However, the symptoms may be reduced over time as the skin gets used to the sun. How severely affected suffer from the discomfort is individually different and above all depends on the particular form of the light allergy. By correct behavior, preventive measures and different therapy concepts, severe outbreaks can usually be prevented and the discomfort of one sun allergy significantly alleviate.