Allergic to Sunlight/heat? - Allergies Message Board

LostCause · 03-18-2003, 01:09 PM

In the past few months ive realized that im extremely irritated whne i get out in the sunlight. If i stay in direct sunlight for more than a minute, and i start sweating, i break out into a bad itch, my whole chest itches.
When i get back inside and i take off my shirt ive broken out into hives all over my chest. This happens when im inside too, and get hot for some reason.
Its extremely embarrassing too..when im having sex..i get these splotches on my skin, on my chest and upper arms, and i dont know how i can stop them.
Last year when i was out gettin a tan, i noticed that my chest didnt tan the same in some areas, some areas were a different pigment and made me look very wierd. I spent sometime putting selsun blue on my skin, i read that that should put a stop to what i thought it was, and after a month or so it was gone. But it seems to be coming back no with winter, and the heat thing makes it worse. If anyone understands what this is please post.

Marie55 · 03-18-2003, 02:54 PM

Best to see a dermatologist.

longell · 03-28-2003, 08:29 AM

I would see a dermatologist too. It sounds like it may be an allergic reaction to sun and heat.Do you use a sunscreen?I had a similar reaction to the sun(photosensitivity) when I took an antibiotic.Good luck.

ronelle · 04-02-2003, 12:34 PM

You should try a antihistamine like Benadryl, Allegra, or Zyrtec. Do a search online about hives. There can be many different causes. It's also important to keep your skin well hydrated. Use a good fragrance free, hypoallergenic lotion like Cetaphil. Avoid the tanning bed too!!

ronaldo1 · 04-07-2003, 05:16 AM

I also have a problem with being exposed to the sun. Direct sunlight (even the smallest amount) makes my hands and arms in particular break out into a red, slightly itchy rash that lasts for about one week or sometimes longer. the dermatologist told me that it is likely to be polymorphous light eruption (PLE) and there is nothing much that can be done about ir other than just to cover up and keep out of the sun. However in my case, I am pretty sure that it is a sign of an autoimmune problem. Even though I have not tested positive to lupus yet, rashes from sunlight can often be the first symptom of lupus. I am having a lot of other autoimmune related problems, so in my case, it is just another symptom to go with many others.