{"id":6672,"date":"2023-08-19T04:19:03","date_gmt":"2023-08-18T21:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6672"},"modified":"2023-08-19T04:19:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T21:19:03","slug":"identify-the-signs-of-sun-allergy-with-this-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6672","title":{"rendered":"Identify the Signs of Sun Allergy with this Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">W<\/span>hen you think of allergies, you likely imagine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/seasonal-allergies-sensitive-skin\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/seasonal-allergies-sensitive-skin\/\">seasonal allergies<\/a> that occur predominantly in spring and fall, and personal allergies, such as being allergic to nuts or bees. While many, many other allergies exist (to medications, skin-care ingredients, and foods), one thing that you might not register as an allergy is an adverse reaction after a day spent in the sun. But guess what? If you continually develop itchy bumps following sun exposure, it\u2019s quite possible you have a sun allergy.<\/div>\n<p>Generally speaking, a sun allergy rash (as opposed to just a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/scalp-sunburn\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/scalp-sunburn\/\">sunburn<\/a>) will appear after UV exposure, so it\u2019s fairly easy to spot photosensitivity. Still, if you never knew that a sun allergy was a thing, it helps to understand the key characteristics of sun sickness. To give you the full rundown, we chatted with two board-certified dermatologists for everything there is to know about the subject. Keep reading to learn more.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<h2><strong>How do you know if you are allergic to the sun?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you develop a rash in conjunction with sun exposure, there\u2019s a chance that you have a sun allergy. Most often, this allergy falls within one of two categories.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe most common [sun allergy rash] is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK430886\/#:~:text=Polymorphic%20light%20eruption%20is%20the,providing%20further%20exposure%20is%20avoided.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK430886\/#:~:text=Polymorphic%20light%20eruption%20is%20the,providing%20further%20exposure%20is%20avoided.\">polymorphic light eruption<\/a> (PMLE) which typically happens to people in their 20 to 30s,\u201d says board-certified dermatologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drkimdavid.com\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.drkimdavid.com\/about\">David Kim, MD<\/a>. \u201cIt usually occurs in the spring or early summer upon first sun exposure of the season and people develop itchy red bumps on the arm, chest, back, and legs 24 to 48 hours after sun exposure.\u201d What\u2019s particularly interesting about PMLE is that, while it affects the body, it usually spares the face, Kim adds.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not to say that younger people can\u2019t develop a sun allergy, though. According to Dr. Kim, there\u2019s a variation of PMLE, called <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21447213\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21447213\/\">Juvenile Spring Eruption<\/a>, which occurs in children between the ages of five to 12. The biggest difference between classic PMLE and Juvenile Spring Eruption is that the sun allergy can manifest in the form of a facial rash. \u201cThe itchy rash usually develops on the ears, cheeks, lips, and hands, 24 to 48 hours after sun exposure,\u201d Dr. Kim says, noting that it typically improves and resolves with age.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/signs-of-sun-allergy\/\" current-title=\"Everything You Need to Know About Sun Allergy Symptoms and Treatments\" current-image=\"GettyImages-1399752393-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-02-18\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/signs-of-sun-allergy\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/signs-of-sun-allergy\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/signs-of-sun-allergy\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, if you develop a rash within seconds or minutes of being out in the sun, Dr. Kim says that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK441986\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK441986\/\">Solar Urticaria<\/a> is likely at play. \u201cSolar Urticaria is a relatively rare rash people can develop due to UV rays,\u201d he says. \u201cThese are essentially itchy hives that are transient and disappear within one to two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What does a sun allergy look like?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A sun allergy rash looks a lot like other allergic reactions, as it presents in the form of itchy red bumps (ie: hives) on all sun-exposed areas, Dr. Kim says. \u201cIn severe cases, the bumps can progress to vesicles (small fluid-filled bumps) to blisters. But they\u2019re mostly itchy red bumps that resolve over time (one to two weeks) without scarring or blistering.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What&#8217;s the best way to prevent a sun rash?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If the idea of developing a sunburn rash or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sun-blisters\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sun-blisters\/\">sun poisoning blisters<\/a> is enough to make you want to stay out of the sun altogether, know that other, less extreme measures exist. According to Dr. Kim, the best way to avoid a sun allergy rash is to avoid the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sunscreens-for-sensitive-skin\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sunscreens-for-sensitive-skin\/\">wear sunscreen<\/a> with SPF 30 or higher on your face and body, to reapply your SPF every two hours, and to wear <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/cute-upf-clothing\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/cute-upf-clothing\/\">sun-protective clothing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On the topic of sun-protective clothing, board-certified dermatologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dermatologyboise.com\/physicians-and-staff\/dr-dustin-portela\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.dermatologyboise.com\/physicians-and-staff\/dr-dustin-portela\">Dustin Portela, MD<\/a> says to look for garments that are UPF rated. \u201cThese physically block the sun from reaching your skin,\u201d he explains. Need some recos? The <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awin1.com%2Fcread.php%3Fawinmid%3D30347%26awinaffid%3D1097075%26campaign%3D%26clickref%3DSTMSHL-1082753%26ued%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fshop.lululemon.com%252Fp%252Ftops-swim%252FWaterside-Half-Zip-UV-Paddle-Top%252F_%252Fprod11380555%253Fcolor%253D61861%26platform%3Dpl&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/shop.lululemon.com\/p\/tops-swim\/Waterside-Half-Zip-UV-Paddle-Top\/_\/prod11380555?color=61861\">Lululemon Waterside Half-Zip UV Protection Paddle Top<\/a> ($88), <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSHL-1082753%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.lillypulitzer.com%252Fupf-50-leona-zip-up-jacket%252F004884.html&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.lillypulitzer.com\/upf-50-leona-zip-up-jacket\/004884.html\">Lilly Pulitzer UPF 50+ Leona Zip-Up Jacket<\/a> ($108), and the <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgap.igs4ds.net%2Fc%2F2372336%2F383280%2F5556%3FsubId1%3DSTMSHL-1082753%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fathleta.gap.com%252Fbrowse%252Fproduct.do%253Fpid%253D798638&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/athleta.gap.com\/browse\/product.do?pid=798638\">Athleta Transcend \u215e Tight<\/a> ($55), all offer UPF protection.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do you treat a sun allergy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Unlike nut allergies or bee allergies, sun allergies typically resolve on their own without hinting toward symptoms of anaphylactic shock. What\u2019s more, the more you experience sun rashes, the more tolerant your skin will become to UV rays, says Dr. Kim.<\/p>\n<p>Still, if the rash is super itchy, he says that using a gentle moisturizer with a gentle steroid can work as a sun allergy treatment to offer instant relief. \u201cThis will relieve the itch and minimize the scratching, which will then minimize the risk for hyperpigmentation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>If you find yourself reaching for <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgoto.target.com%2Fc%2F2372336%2F81938%2F2092%3FsubId1%3DSTMSHL-1082753%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.target.com%252Fp%252Fbenadryl-ultratabs-allergy-relief-tablets-diphenhydramine-48ct%252F-%252FA-15118506&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.target.com\/p\/benadryl-ultratabs-allergy-relief-tablets-diphenhydramine-48ct\/-\/A-15118506\">Benadryl<\/a> ($9) for a sun allergy, Dr. Kim notes it can help with the feelings associated with a sun reaction, but not the visible symptoms. \u201cAntihistamines will help with the itching but they won\u2019t necessarily make the bumps go away quicker,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>Another downside of using Benadryl to treat a sun allergy rash is that it could make you feel drowsy during your summer activities. \u201cYou can alternatively take an antihistamine like <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FZyrtec-Allergy-Cetirizine-Antihistamine-Medicine%2Fdp%2FB08JVPNBGM%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx11330-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zyrtec-Allergy-Cetirizine-Antihistamine-Medicine\/dp\/B08JVPNBGM\">Zyrtec<\/a> ($23), <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FClaritin-Liqui-Gels-Non-Drowsy-Loratadine-Antihistamine%2Fdp%2FB079L7B74P%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx11330-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Claritin-Liqui-Gels-Non-Drowsy-Loratadine-Antihistamine\/dp\/B079L7B74P\">Claritin<\/a> ($27), or <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAllegra-Long-Lasting-Fast-Acting-Antihistamine-Noticeable%2Fdp%2FB01B5AQEYY%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx11330-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fsigns-of-sun-allergy%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Allegra-Long-Lasting-Fast-Acting-Antihistamine-Noticeable\/dp\/B01B5AQEYY\">Allegra<\/a> ($30), which are less likely to cause drowsiness,\u201d says Dr. Portela. \u201cOver-the-counter hydrocortisone can also help if you limit use to only a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That said, if your sun allergy rash doesn\u2019t dissipate within a few days, Portela says to make an appointment with your dermatologist to determine what\u2019s causing your skin to react in such a way.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Can I suddenly be allergic to the sun?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Most often, sun allergies present themself early in life, says Dr. Kim. So, if you have never developed a rash after spending time in the sun, then all of a sudden do, he notes that it\u2019s likely not a sun allergy but rather a sign of photoallergic or phototoxic drug reactions. \u201cThis is when the medications you take or apply (on the skin) interact with UV rays and cause an allergic reaction,\u201d he says. \u201cSo it\u2019s not your skin reacting, it\u2019s the medication that\u2019s reacting to UV rays.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, it\u2019s typically pretty easy to spot the difference between a sun allergy and a photosensitive reaction. \u201cIf it\u2019s a sun allergy, you\u2019ll develop the rash in \u2018photo-distributed\u2019 patterns, AKA all areas that are exposed to the sun (not just the face),\u201d Kim says, noting that the rash usually sets in hours after exposure. \u201cIf it\u2019s an allergic reaction to your sunscreen, you\u2019ll experience tingling and burning almost immediately and you\u2019ll develop dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) only on the areas you applied sunscreen [or another photosensitive skincare ingredient].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With this in mind, it\u2019s worth knowing which skincare ingredients can potentially cause adverse reactions when applied directly before sun exposure. As a rule of thumb, it\u2019s best to avoid retinol, salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, and AHAs directly before sun exposure. While these ingredients can undoubtedly boost any skincare routine, they can make your complexion more susceptible to burning and discomfort when in contact with UV rays.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Sun allergies exist\u2014who would\u2019ve thought? The good news is that sun allergies aren\u2019t dire, so they don\u2019t require avoiding sunlight altogether. Instead, stock your closet with UPF-protective clothing, make sunscreen a mainstay in your face and body skincare routines to avoid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/undo-sun-damage\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/undo-sun-damage\/\">sun damage<\/a> and to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dermatologist-skin-cancer\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dermatologist-skin-cancer\/\">lower your risk of skin cancer<\/a>, avoid peak sunlight hours, and evaluate your daily skincare regimen before heading out for a day in the sun. And on that note, know that you don\u2019t have to nix ingredients from your routine altogether. Instead, use them at night time if you know you\u2019ll be spending the next day in the sun. If you absolutely can\u2019t bear the thought of foregoing your favorite products, though, your other option is to religiously apply SPF of at least 30 or higher. For full protection, squeeze a line of sunscreen on your fore and middle fingers\u2014that\u2019s how much sunscreen you need to ward off the sun\u2019s harmful UV rays from your face, and that amount must be applied every two hours to maintain the protection and reduce your risk of developing photosensitivity.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"outline-earmark relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[20px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you think of allergies, you likely imagine seasonal allergies that occur predominantly in spring and fall, and personal allergies, such as being allergic to nuts or bees. While many, many other allergies exist (to medications, skin-care ingredients, and foods), one thing that you might not register as an allergy is an adverse reaction after &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}