Diseases, endocrinologists. MRI
Site search

Signs of sun allergy. How to treat sun allergies? How to treat sun allergies

An allergy to the sun is not entirely correctly called a reaction that manifests itself in certain people under influence sun rays. The correct name for it is photodermatosis, or solar dermatitis.

There is an assumption that this allergy does not appear due to exposure to the sun, because it does not contain protein in its ray.

In this case, the sun's rays are attributed only to a certain factor. It is believed that the sun can only affect a certain type of people who suffer from diseases of systemic organs and have accumulated a large number of allergens in your body.

In this article we will talk about sun allergy - its symptoms and treatment methods, and also look at detailed photos.

Causes

Allergic or toxic effect ultraviolet (sun) rays manifest themselves when they combine with substances already on the skin - exogenous photodermatitis, with substances located in skin cells - endogenous photodermatitis.

Sunlight, in principle, cannot be an allergen, but it can provoke several types of aggressive reactions not only of the immune system, but also of the entire body:

  1. Photoallergy or sun allergy – photosensitivity.
  2. Phototraumatic reaction – an elementary reaction from overly “zealous” tanning.
  3. A phototoxic reaction is a photodermatosis caused by the interaction of ultraviolet radiation and certain types of drugs and plants.

All types of reactions are manifested by varying degrees of skin pigmentation; in addition, in people who are prone to allergies, even a seemingly safe half-hour exposure to the sun can cause severe allergies.

TO internal factors The development of photodermatitis includes:

  1. Reception row pharmacological drugs, for example hormonal birth control pills with a high content of estrogens, some antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants, etc.;
  2. Vitamin deficiency in the body;
  3. Reduced immunity.

TO external reasons It is customary to refer to the use of various creams and other cosmetics that contain certain components, such as sandalwood oil, musk, etc.

Prone to appear photodermatosis:

  • Small children;
  • people with light skin;
  • pregnant women;
  • those who were exposed the day before cosmetic procedures using cadmium salts (chemical peeling, tattooing).
  • persons who abuse solariums;

There are also substances that, if ingested, can cause photodermatitis. This group includes certain medications and some food products.

  • antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline);
  • drugs for the treatment of cardiac diseases;
  • aspirin;
  • antibacterial drugs;
  • ibuprofen;
  • antidepressants;
  • diuretics;
  • tranquilizers;
  • oral contraceptives that have a high estrogen content.

Therefore, if you cannot stop taking any medications, consult your doctor about the risk of photodermatitis when taking them.

Symptoms of sun allergy

Sun allergy, like any other pathology, has a number of its own symptoms and signs. Conventionally, it is possible to distinguish local and general manifestations from them.

Main symptoms photodermatosis:

  • redness and inflammation of the skin;
  • peeling of the skin;
  • often accompanied by intense itching and burning;
  • rashes can be in the form of folliculitis (pustules) or papules.

Often this condition does not develop immediately. Unlike a burn, it can occur several hours after you leave the beach, and in some cases even after returning from the resort. A phototoxic reaction can occur within a few hours of sun exposure, while a photoallergic reaction can occur even days after sun exposure.

General symptoms:

  1. An increase in temperature indicates toxic compounds entering the bloodstream from the skin;
  2. Dizziness;
  3. As a result of allergen entering the bloodstream, it leads to fainting.

It should be noted that damage to minor areas of skin rarely leads to general symptoms allergies to the sun. We’ll look at what to do if you find yourself with these symptoms below.

See also: at home.

Allergy to the sun photo

You can see what a sun allergy looks like in these photos:


What to do in this case?

Before treating a sun allergy, it is necessary to exclude other influencing factors. They also help. This antihistamines, which relieve itching and eliminate swelling. You can buy them at your nearest pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.

Treatment of sun allergies

There is no universal cure for sun allergies. In therapy it is important to adhere to individual approach. How to treat a sun allergy will depend on the location of the inflammation on the skin, the severity of the rash and the presence of general symptoms.

In most cases, the treatment program includes the following components:

  1. Non-hormonal creams and ointments for external use: , desitin, etc.
  2. Corticosteroid drugs: prescribed for severe forms photodermatitis and only as prescribed by a doctor.
  3. Ointments based on zinc, methyluracil, hydrocortisone.
  4. Antihistamines: “”, “”, “Erius”, “” and others (see).
  5. Vitamin therapy, immunotherapy: the doctor prescribes immunostimulating drugs that will help strengthen defensive reactions body.
  6. Enterosorbents: , Polyphepan, . Helps quickly cleanse the body of toxins and allergens.
  7. To restore liver function, the doctor prescribes hepatoprotectors: “”, “Glutargin”, “Silibor”, “and other drugs of plant origin.

Treatment depends on the specific type of allergic reaction. In mild cases, simply avoiding the sun for a few days may be enough to relieve symptoms.

Prevention

If you have an allergy to the sun, what to do, how to deal with it? First of all, it is important to understand that any disease is better to prevent than to treat. That's why:

  1. Medications containing photosensitizing substances should be used with caution.
  2. Start sunbathing with short stays in the open sun; in the first days this should be only 10-15 minutes.
  3. If you are predisposed to sun allergies, it is recommended to wear clothes made from natural fabrics, cut to protect the body from exposure to direct ultraviolet radiation.
  4. If the allergy has chronic nature Before the start of the spring-summer season, you can start taking medications with photoprotective properties, naturally after consulting a doctor.

How to treat allergies with folk remedies?

If it is impossible to consult a doctor, you can try using folk remedies, which will help alleviate pain and itching of the skin at first.

  1. For example, use cucumber juice, potatoes or cabbage leaves, as they have softening properties and help fast healing wounds and skin lesions.
  2. Infusions of celandine and calendula are used to make cold compresses.

Many people do not know how to properly treat allergies and in most cases self-medicate, but this should not be allowed under any circumstances. After detecting the first signs of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor. By neglecting treatment, you can provoke the appearance of eczema, which is much more difficult to treat.

If a patient has an allergy to the sun, the symptoms and treatment of this unpleasant phenomenon should be diagnosed and carried out only an experienced doctor. Summer is the favorite time of year for many people. After all, it is during this period that you can sunbathe on the beach and swim in reservoirs. However, as practice shows, for last years many people have become more likely to experience hypersensitivity to the sun's rays. Allergy to the sun is medically called photodermatitis. From of this disease About 20% of the world's population suffers.

Symptoms of the disease

Unpleasant symptoms of photodermatitis can occur immediately (immediately after exposure to sunlight on the skin), a few hours or 2-3 days after sunbathing. It all depends on how sensitive the patient's skin is. Experts advise paying attention to the following signs indicating an allergy to the sun.

First, the skin turns red and begins to peel. Red spots appear, which sometimes merge into swollen, reddened lesions.

First of all, as a rule, more sensitive areas (skin of the décolleté and face) are affected.

However, unpleasant symptoms can appear everywhere at once (on the arms, legs and other parts of the body).

After some time, severe swelling and bubbles with liquid form. Under no circumstances should you pierce them yourself. This can lead to a bacterial infection.

On skin a rash and small dots appear that look like freckles. In this case, doctors diagnose solar urticaria.

If it is not treated promptly, dermatosis may develop, which is much more difficult to combat.

Photodermatitis is characterized by symptoms such as severe burning and itching of the skin. Patients complain that their body feels like it is on fire.

In particular severe cases, after contact of the skin with sunlight, purulent rashes may appear. This unpleasant phenomenon, as a rule, occurs in cases where a person scratches the affected areas vigorously.

Signs of allergies are not always localized only in places where the sun's rays hit the most. If allergic reaction manifests itself in the form of eczema; unpleasant symptoms can appear even where ultraviolet radiation does not have access.

The rarest form of photodermatitis is Gunther's disease. Patients with this disease are afraid of light rays, which causes cracks and ulcers on their skin.

Return to contents

Causes of the disease

The causes of a painful skin reaction to sunlight are a combination of internal and external factors.

  1. External factors. Some perfumes and cosmetical tools may cause the above-described unpleasant phenomenon. Some may affect the development of the rash and other symptoms. medicines, increasing sensitivity to sunlight. These include diuretics and antimicrobial drugs. That is why, when taking any medications, you must carefully read the instructions. Some medicines have a label on their packaging indicating this by-effect like photodermatitis. Some people are allergic to the sun when unpleasant reaction causes ultraviolet radiation in combination with disinfectants, which are used to treat pool water.
  2. Internal factors. In this case, we are talking about diseases of the intestines, liver and immune disorders. Vitamin deficiency can also trigger the development of sun allergies.

Before starting treatment for the disease described above, it is necessary to accurately determine the causes of its development. Medicines will directly depend on this factor.

Return to contents

Rules to follow

Doctors advise people at risk to follow following rules. Before going outside, you should not use antibacterial soap and perfumes or cosmetics that contain boric and salicylic acid and essential oils. Even your favorite lipstick, one of the components of which is eosin, can significantly aggravate the situation.

You should choose sunscreens very carefully.

As strange as it may sound, sun allergies can develop after using certain sunscreens. Drugs containing para-aminobenzoic acid and benzophenones are dangerous.

People prone to sun allergies should also be careful when choosing food. Some nutritional supplements contain provocative substances.

Photosensitivity can be caused by cadmium sulfate, which is used in tattooing.

The above-described reaction from the body is also provoked by all citrus fruits. That is why you should avoid eating oranges, lemons and tangerines before going to the beach. Otherwise, sun allergies will make themselves felt.

As mentioned above, signs of photodermatitis may occur after long-term use some medicines. Even if the patient no longer takes them, the sun's rays still negatively affect his skin. As practice shows, active substances medications(accumulated in the skin after a course of treatment) are eliminated very slowly. This may cause this sun sensitivity to persist for months to years.

In most cases the reason unpleasant symptoms are antibiotics, diuretics, aspirin, antidepressants and oral contraceptives, which contain a lot of estrogen.

Return to contents

Treatment of the disease

Everyone who is faced with the problem described above is interested in the question of how to treat sun allergies. In most cases, photodermatitis is treated with antihistamines, glucocorticoid ointments and anti-inflammatory drugs. Fluorocort is very popular. The corticosteroid cream Betamethasone and the anti-inflammatory gel Nurofen have proven themselves to be effective. For photodermatitis, you can use a product whose main component is diclofenac sodium. It's about about Diclofenac gel. It also has excellent anti-inflammatory properties zinc paste (active substance- zinc oxide).

To eliminate itching, redness and other unpleasant symptoms on thin and sensitive skin (face, décolleté), experts advise using anti-inflammatory creams. Lokoid is very effective. Data local remedy can be lubricated open areas skin for preventive purposes.

Sun allergies in areas where the skin is thicker can be treated with ointments. Such dosage forms better absorbed. Hydrocortisone ointment is very popular (it cannot be used to treat children).

As mentioned above, antihistamines are used to treat photodermatitis. They are available in tablet form. Loratadine and Diazolin tablets are considered effective. They must be taken for 5 days. If the disease causes severe rash and swelling, doctors prescribe antihistamines, which are administered as intramuscular injections.

When taking medications from this group, you should understand that they can only reduce the severity of the allergic reaction. Antihistamines are not able to eliminate its main cause. That is why, when taking such drugs, you need to carefully ensure that photosensitizing substances do not come into contact with the skin.

As already mentioned, sun allergies often occur against the background of decreased immunity and vitamin deficiency. Patients are interested in, if an allergy to the sun has manifested itself, how to deal with it. The answer to this question is quite simple - you need to eat as much as possible foods containing elements C, B, E and nicotinic acid. Vitamin complexes are also useful.

In order to cleanse the body of allergens and toxins as quickly as possible, it is necessary to take sorbents. Polyphepan and Polysorb MP are very popular. You need to drink as much as possible clean water. 2 liters of liquid per day will help remove the allergen from the body faster.

Animal fur, food, medicines, etc. Don't take everything into account. But there are people who are allergic to the sun. How to treat this disease and how to correctly identify the symptoms?

About the concept

In medicine it is called or, popularly, “solar” dermatitis). Most often, children who were first brought to the sea, to the south, suffer from this disease. These appear from about May and end when the sun stops being so active - around September-October. It is also worth noting that this disease is not chronic. Having suffered from this type of allergy and treated it correctly, you can get rid of it once and for all.

Symptoms

Before figuring out how to treat a sun allergy, it is worth identifying its main symptoms. If a person simply sneezes while going out sunlight, there is nothing wrong with such an allergic reaction; it does not require treatment. But if a person experiences redness of the skin, itching, and in more severe cases, rashes, as well as varying degrees swelling, you need to see a doctor and get a prescription.

Course of the disease

How does this disease most often progress? Various diseases can go away on their own in the sun within a few days. However, if treatment is not carried out, this is fraught with the development of various skin diseases, decrease blood pressure, the occurrence of bronchospasm.

What to do?

Before you figure out how to treat a sun allergy, you should stick to a few simple rules people suffering from this type of disease. IN sunny days It is better for them to appear on the street in long clothes made of thick fabric, not to use deodorants, and try to get exposed to open clothing as little as possible. severe symptoms You can train your body by exposing your skin to moderate sunlight.

Treatment options

So, how to treat sun allergies? It all depends on what symptoms a person has. After using all means of prevention, the first aides in such a situation are antihistamines. If there is a rash on the skin, doctors may recommend the use of ointments that contain zinc. Aspirin can help with inflammation. If the skin is affected, you can use nicotinic acid, antioxidants, B vitamins, as well as C and E.

Folk remedies

But besides medications, there are also ways to heal in the sun. Folk remedies can help with this. It is worth noting that these options remove the symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause of the disease. So, if a person has affected skin, they will help relieve pain and swelling cabbage leaf or potatoes (cut into slices). These products should be applied to the affected areas of the skin and after a while you will feel some relief. More options for treating sun allergies: a decoction of wormwood and oil with celandine will help with this. An excellent assistant There can be various herbal baths in which you need to dip sun-damaged areas of the body.

In the absence of serious pathologies, direct sunlight has positive impact on the body, improving the protective functions of the immune system. If there is increased sensitivity of the skin, signs of an allergic reaction may be observed. In medicine, this phenomenon is called photodermatosis. There is an assumption that the pathology is diagnosed in a certain category of people whose bodies contain an excessive amount of allergens. According to the world medical statistics about 20% of the population experience this disease. It is noteworthy that an allergy to the sun can appear at lightning speed (after 30 seconds), or 2-3 days after exposure to ultraviolet rays.

Medical classification of photosensitivity

The concept of photosensitivity implies the presence of increased sensitivity of the human body to the effects of direct ultraviolet rays. Allergy to the sun is accompanied by a number of reactions of varying severity.

In modern allergology, there is the following classification of photodermatitis:

Type of reaction to ultraviolet light Features of the course
Phototoxic This form of photodermatosis consists of the formation of a sunburn, accompanied by redness and swelling of the skin. Doctors say that allergies in this case are provoked by taking medications and products that contain natural or synthetic photosensitizers
Phototraumatic Can be observed in completely healthy people after long stay under direct ultraviolet rays. It should be remembered that from 11-00 to 15-00 there is high probability get sunburn due to the intensity of radiation
Photoallergic Pathology is diagnosed in patients with immune disorders at the local level. In this category of patients, the body perceives ultraviolet radiation as exposure to foreign substances. As a result of irradiation, extensive vesicles and papules are formed, the skin thickens and becomes rough

Causes

The choice of treatment tactics for solar allergy largely depends on the etiology of the disease. Only after a thorough diagnosis of the clinical picture and history taking can the doctor draw conclusions about possible reasons development of this pathology. The manifestation of photodermatitis is provoked by a number of factors, which are divided into two groups:

  1. External causes are cosmetics intended for daily use: eau de toilette, creams, ointments. Concerning medicines, it has been proven that antimicrobial and diuretic medications contribute to photosensitivity. For this reason, you should carefully read the instructions for use and do not exceed the permissible time of exposure to direct ultraviolet rays. IN summer period It is recommended to be extremely careful when using cosmetics that contain the following substances: natural esters, boric and salicylic acid, eosin.
  2. Internal factors that act as a provocateur of solar dermatitis include various diseases gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys, a disorder of the natural functioning of the immune system, a lack of vitamins, a violation metabolic processes, the presence of hidden pathologies. For these reasons, doctors emphasize the importance of undergoing a full diagnosis for prevention purposes.

Factors that increase the likelihood of photodermatosis

There is an erroneous assumption that the true provoking factor for photodermatitis is direct ultraviolet rays. This approach is not entirely correct. The causes of sun allergies on the hands and face are photosensitizers, which can negatively affect the body under certain conditions. The process of development of photodermatosis is that as a result of the influence of ultraviolet radiation, specific free radicals, coming into further contact with protein substances of the body. The new compounds formed act as the very antigens that provoke photodermatitis.

Taking these factors into account, experts highlight following reasons allergies to the sun: external application of medicinal ointments and gels, injury to the skin household chemicals, use of certain cosmetics, oral administration strong antibiotics oral contraceptives, antidepressants.

Few people know that some fruits, vegetables, and plant crops can increase the sensitivity of the epidermis to sunlight. Foods that provoke allergies include carrots, parsley, celery, parsnips, and mango.

In this case, itching and redness may appear after irradiation in those places where the fruit juice got in, and the more intense the ultraviolet radiation, the more acute the symptom. Due to insufficient awareness of the factors that contribute to the development of photodermatitis, the incidence rate is increasing every year.

In order not to be puzzled by the question of how to get rid of sun allergies, you need to know about the risk group for this pathology. The following categories of people are identified who are, to a certain extent, most susceptible: negative influence ultraviolet radiation on the skin:

  • Small children;
  • blondes with the first skin phototype;
  • people who regularly visit the solarium;
  • after cosmetic procedures: chemical or acid peeling of the facial skin, tattooing;
  • period of bearing a child;
  • hereditary predisposition.

Features of the clinical picture

The manifestation of solar dermatitis in humans may be accompanied by individual symptoms. This is due to the dependence of the rate of allergy development on the patient’s health characteristics. In some dermatological patients, photodermatitis appears immediately, but it is not uncommon for an attack to be diagnosed 3 days after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Standard clinical picture This pathology looks like this:

  1. Redness and swelling of the skin.
  2. Peeling of the upper layers of the epidermis.
  3. Infiltration (thickening) of the skin.
  4. Constant feeling of itching and burning in the area of ​​the allergy.
  5. Increased dryness in the affected areas of the skin.

In the absence of adequate drug therapy photodermatosis rapidly turns into advanced stage. At this stage of the development of the disease, the following symptoms may appear: conjunctivitis, cheilitis, the appearance of rashes in the form of extensive ulcers, papules. In the most severe cases, doctors diagnose angioedema, which, without timely treatment medical care, leads to death.

At the first signs of deterioration in health and the appearance of a characteristic rash, you should contact a qualified specialist. Only with such a conscious approach to this pathology is it possible to short term get rid of uncomfortable symptoms.

Therapy tactics

Cure can only be achieved after establishing the real reason its development. For this purpose, patients are prescribed a series of laboratory analysis And instrumental examinations, the results of which will help the doctor decide on tactics drug effects. The course of treatment is selected individually for each patient, taking into account the identified etiology of the disease.

In medicine this moment patients with solar dermatitis The following medications are prescribed:

Type of drug Medicinal efficacy Name of the drug
External therapy During the use of ointments, a rapid onset of positive dynamics is noted due to the reduction of swelling and redness of injured areas of the skin "Fenistil", "Desitin", "Diclofenac", paste with zinc
Vitamin complexes Taking immunostimulants helps increase protective functions the body to the aggressive effects of sunlight "Centrum", "Vitrum", "Multi Tabs", "Complivit"
Enterosorbents The use of drugs that promote rapid elimination from the body of toxic products. During therapy, it is extremely important to observe drinking regime which involves the need to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day, depending on medical prescriptions "Enterosgel", "Polysorb"
Antihistamines Suppress the activity of free histamines, due to which there is a decrease in sensitivity to allergens "Suprastin", "Tavegil", "Cetrin", "Nimesil"
Hepaprotectors Preparations from this pharmacological group designed to normalize the natural functioning of the liver "Gepabene", "Karsil", "Ursokhol"

There is no universal drug for the treatment of photodermatosis, since it requires A complex approach. Many people, faced with sunburn, self-medicate, which subsequently leads to complications. It is important to understand that treatment tactics are directly dependent on the location of the allergic reaction and the severity of the pathology.

Therapy for photodermatitis is based on the following principles: rapid relief of symptoms, avoidance of contact with the allergen, local and indoor application medications, protecting the skin from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Preventive actions

Preventing a disease is much easier than subsequently treating it for a long time, while experiencing discomfort from specific symptoms. Sticking to simple recommendations Regarding the protection of the skin from exposure to aggressive ultraviolet radiation, you can protect yourself from the appearance of photodermatitis.

Preventive measures include the following steps:

  • Before visiting the beach, you must apply protective cream to your body and face. Dermatologists point out that in Everyday life in the summer, it is important to use cosmetics with spf, the level of which corresponds to your skin type;
  • after swimming in a pool, sea, or river, you should immediately wipe your skin with a towel;
  • Do not use while tanning decorative cosmetics, perfume;
  • in the absence of kidney pathologies, drink about 2 liters of distilled water per day;
  • sunbathing should be done in doses, starting from 10 minutes;
  • limit consumption alcoholic drinks, increasing photosensitivity;
  • Always have antihistamines in your medicine cabinet to quickly relieve an allergy attack;
  • carefully study the instructions for use of potent drugs;
  • if you have a chronic tendency to photodermatitis, wear clothes made from natural fabrics that reliably protect against sunburn.

Conclusion

Photodermatitis, according to medical statistics, is increasingly being diagnosed in people. This is largely due to the lack of awareness among dermatological patients about the complexity of the disease. Sun allergy is a serious pathology that must be treated promptly under constant monitoring. qualified specialist. By neglecting the help of a competent doctor, there is a high probability of developing complications, which in the future will be more difficult to respond to medication.

In the summer, the sun pleases us with its warmth, and no fashionista will refuse a beautiful bronze tan. However, some people may develop allergies from exposure to sunlight. Next, you will learn why an allergic reaction occurs and what methods are available to combat it.

Allergy to the sun occurs when specific reaction human skin on exposure to ultraviolet rays. In medicine, the disease is called photodermatitis or photodermatosis. According to statistics, approximately 20% of people suffer from this disease.

Undoubtedly, the rays of the sun are not an allergen. Why does allergy appear? Ultraviolet rays can provoke photodermatitis only when interacting with substances located on or inside the skin.

When photodermatitis occurs, the causes must be sought in the general condition of the body. You should pay attention to the functioning of the kidneys and liver. Problems with the functioning of these organs appear on the skin.

Allergy can also be caused by taking medical supplies, some foods, the use of perfumes and creams.

The risk group for photodermatitis includes:

Therefore, people whose skin is prone to photodermatosis should be careful about their health and carefully select sunscreens.

What plants, medications and foods can trigger allergies?

For people prone to photodermatitis, before using new cosmetic or medical supplies You must carefully read the summary and composition. If the description indicates that photodermatosis may occur, then you need to reduce the time spent in direct sunlight.

When choosing cosmetics, you need to pay attention to the content of such components as essential oils, mercury compounds, boric acid.

These substances may increase symptoms of the disease.

List of medications that may cause allergies in rare cases:

Cosmetics whose composition can cause photodermatosis:

  • perfumes, lipsticks, body creams with essential oils;
  • sunscreens with high content PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid);
  • antibacterial soap.

The cause of photodermatitis (namely meadow dermatitis) can be meadow plants.

They secrete special substances (furocoumarins), which, settling on human skin, interact with the sun's rays.

As a result, skin irritation and rashes may occur. Such plants include:

  • quinoa;
  • nettle;
  • hogweed;
  • buckwheat;
  • fig tree;
  • fraxinella.

Some foods may also have a provocative effect:

  • citrus fruits (orange, lemon);
  • carrot juice;
  • greens: parsley, dill, celery;
  • alcohol;
  • coffee, cocoa;
  • chocolate;
  • products with a high content of artificial additives.

Before going out into the sun, it is advisable not to consume the foods and medications listed above. This is especially true for people prone to photodermatosis.

Types of photodermatitis

Sun allergies can cause different reactions:

  1. Phototraumatic reactions are the body’s response to long stay under the hot sun. Sunburn on the skin is possible. This reaction occurs when exposed to sunlight from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
  2. Phototoxic reactions - can occur in a person due to taking medications or products that provoke photodermatitis;
  3. Photoallergic reactions are an abnormal reaction of the body to ultraviolet rays. Papules and vesicles appear on the skin. With such a reaction of the skin, you cannot appear in the sun during the day.

Of course, the sun's rays have a beneficial effect on the human body, saturating it with vitamin D. However, in some cases ultraviolet radiation may cause photodermatitis. In order to distinguish a regular sunburn from an allergy, you need to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of photodermatitis.

How does sun allergy manifest in adults and children?

Symptoms of photodermatitis can be different and vary depending on the cause of the allergy and the age of the person. However, most often the signs of photodermatitis are:


Photodermatitis in children can also worsen general state health:

  • slight increase in body temperature;
  • lacrimation;
  • nasal congestion;
  • swelling of the face.

If you notice several of the symptoms described above in yourself or your child, you should consult a doctor for advice. The doctor will diagnose and prescribe treatment.

First aid

At the first signs of an allergy (the skin begins to itch and spots appear), you need to move into the shade or go into a ventilated room. Reddened areas of the skin should be covered with a damp cotton cloth.

It is advisable to make cold compresses from a decoction of chamomile or calendula. The victim is given plenty of cool liquid.

If an antihistamine is available, it can be taken when severe attacks(the child can have suprastinex or fexofenadine).

If possible, you should contact the nearest medical facility.

In severe forms of photodermatosis ( severe swelling, heat) you need to urgently call an ambulance.

Diagnosis and treatment methods for a child with sun allergy

Rashes on the skin of a child can be caused by various infectious diseases. Therefore, treatment begins only after making sure that the baby is allergic to the sun.

A qualified doctor will prescribe blood and urine tests. Then a light test is done. Small areas of the body are irradiated with ultraviolet light for several minutes and the skin reaction is observed. If the doctor doubts the diagnosis of photodermatitis, then an analysis of scrapings from the skin is prescribed.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed by a doctor, complex treatment photodermatosis.

Use external remedies to soothe the skin:

Antihistamines are prescribed:

  1. Suprastin;
  2. Diazolin;

When bathing, use regular baby soap. Dress the child in closed clothes before going out into the sun during the day and strengthen immune system child.

Duration of treatment and final result depends on how much the child’s parents understand the importance of the problem. Otherwise, the therapy will drag on for a long time and lead to complications in the baby’s health.

What treatment is provided for adults

Photodermatitis in adults also requires adequate medical treatment. After all, it is almost impossible to avoid the influence of ultraviolet rays in the warm season. For this reason, consultations with doctors are needed: a dermatologist and an allergist.

If there are pathologies at work internal organs, then the necessary therapy is prescribed. At the same time, treatment is carried out aimed at eliminating the external manifestations of allergies. Typically, your doctor will prescribe the following medications.

Allergy creams:

Antihistamines:

  • Claritin;
  • Tavegil;
  • Suprastin;
  • Cetrin;
  • Zodak;

Vitamins:

  • group B.

The duration of therapy for photodermatosis can range from a couple of days to several weeks. This depends on the severity of the disease and the adequacy of the prescribed treatment.

Traditional medicine as an assistant in the treatment of allergies

If you experience symptoms of photodermatitis and are unable to see a doctor, you can try traditional medicine:

Folk remedies have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect. However, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Naturally, it is impossible to exclude the effect of sunlight on human skin. But it is quite possible to reduce the likelihood of photodermatosis by following these tips:

  1. Before leaving the house (half an hour before), you should apply a sunscreen spray to your skin;
  2. People prone to sun allergies should not use perfumes, essential oils and deodorants in the summer;
  3. When relaxing near bodies of water after swimming, be sure to dry your skin from moisture with a towel;
  4. If you are prone to photodermatitis during hot periods, you must start taking antihistamines in advance;
  5. In summer it is necessary to take vitamin complexes;
  6. If you have fair and sensitive skin, you should avoid direct exposure to the sun and relax in the shade on the beach;
  7. On vacation, it is better to sunbathe before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

If you follow all precautions, being in the sun will turn into a joy without irritation or allergic reactions.

For more information about sun allergies, watch the following video.