How to prevent sun allergies. Causes of sun allergies

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.

Sun allergy occurs when a person’s skin reacts specifically to 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.

Allergies can also be triggered by taking medications, certain foods, and using 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?

People prone to photodermatitis should carefully read the instructions and ingredients before using new cosmetic or medical products. 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 high in PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid);
• antibacterial soap.

The cause of photodermatitis (namely meadow dermatitis) may 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 foods and medicines 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 prolonged exposure to 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 skin You can’t go out 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 can 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 or your child experience several of the symptoms described above, 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. Dressing your child in covered clothing before going out in the sun during the day will strengthen the child's immune system.

The duration of treatment and the final result depend 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 should start taking it in advance. antihistamines;
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.

Summer is the most suitable time for trips to the sea, trips to exotic countries, or just to the countryside or to Vacation home. But not only pleasant moments can await a person who spends a long time in the sun.

Thus, some people, starting from the period of increased solar activity (the month of May), exhibit symptoms of photodermatosis. Children who travel from one climate zone to another (hotter) for the summer are at greatest risk of getting sick. Allergens are not the sun's rays, but their excessive accumulation in the body and combination with other substances, which is why people begin to experience various allergic reactions. Most diseases occur in those who suffer from diseases of the kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands.

It can occur when a person has been in the sun for a short time, and when long stay under direct rays (in the form of burns). The patient's condition does not worsen under the influence of artificial light (except for a solarium, which includes the ultraviolet spectrum).

The frequency of this problem is not very high. Only about 3 percent of the adult population is light-skinned. Among people with dark skin the disease is even less common.

Causes of sun allergies

The reasons can be very different:

• taking medications;
• the use of aromatic oils of citrus or bergamot;
• liver or kidney diseases;
• disruptions in pigment metabolism;
• reduced immunity;
• pregnancy;
• autoimmune disease;
• taking hormonal contraceptive pills;
• hypovitaminosis;
• very fair, hypersensitive skin;
• hormonal disbalance;
• disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system.

Depending on the reasons that provoked photodermatitis, it is divided into two types:
1. exogenous. Appears due to the interaction of sunlight with substances applied to the skin. They may be:

• personal hygiene products – shower gels, liquid soaps;
• cosmetics – cream, deodorant, perfume;
• Remnants of washing powders and other cleaning products that remain on clothes when they are not rinsed properly.

When these allergens are removed from the surface of the skin, the problem most often disappears.

Exogenous photodermatitis can develop due to the accumulation of phototoxic substances in the body.
substances. Thus, they will accumulate in the thickness of human skin. As a result, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, allergens are formed due to substances such as:

• some medications (antibiotics, sulfonamides, griseofulvin), you should consult a doctor before using them;
• individual representatives of legumes that contain xanthinols in their fruits.

Similar to the first option, it is necessary to eliminate contact with these substances and the allergic reaction will stop.

2. endogenous. It is a congenital human condition that is closely related to disruptions in metabolism and the functioning of the immune system:

• impaired metabolism of porphyrin compounds, which leads to the accumulation of porphyrin in the skin, which interacts with ultraviolet rays and provokes allergic reactions.
• a disrupted melanin metabolism process, as a result of which people with very fair skin (albinos) are susceptible to the development of photodermatosis.
• improper functioning of the immune system, which causes various physical factors can trigger cold and sun allergies.

Symptoms

After a person has been exposed to sunlight, the following local symptoms may begin to appear within a couple of hours:

• severe itching and redness of the skin;
• rash in the form of small blisters;
• swelling of the skin and mucous membranes.

General symptoms:

• increase in body temperature;
• dizziness;
• loss of consciousness due to a significant decrease in blood pressure.

For minor skin lesions, general symptoms photodermatitis may not appear.

Body reaction

Allergy to the sun most often does not need to be treated with any by special means, it goes away on its own after a few days. For weakened and hypersensitive people, the consequences may be the following: the development of bronchospasm, a significant decrease in blood pressure, fainting.

Preventive measures

People who are allergic to the sun should wear clothes made of thick material, with long sleeves, not be in the open sun, do not use alcohol-containing products: perfumes, deodorants, and aromatic oils. When the symptoms are mild, you can train your skin - go out into the open sun for a short time.

Treatment of photodermatitis

To cure a sun allergy, you need to eliminate its cause. It is definitely worth treating your liver and kidneys. With the help of folk remedies, you can eliminate the signs of the disease: eliminate swelling, itching of the skin, rash. Among folk methods, cabbage leaves, a compress of grated potatoes, and cucumber, which are applied to the affected areas of the skin, are very popular.

As for medical treatment, antihistamines are considered the most effective. They can eliminate itching and swelling. You can even buy them without a prescription at any pharmacy. But it is important to strictly follow the correct dosage.

Having eliminated the trigger, treatment begins according to a specific algorithm in order to achieve the best results:

1. Wrap with a damp cloth on the first day after the allergic reaction occurs.
2. Don't sunbathe for a couple of days.
3. Drink plenty of fluids.
4. They wear closed suits, shirts, dresses.
5. When there are a lot of rashes, a person takes a 30-minute soda bath.
6. After baths, wipe the body with almond oil and menthol, or freshly squeezed tomato juice.
7. Lubricate the affected areas with aloe juice.
8. Make compresses from chamomile.
9. Lubricate the blisters with salicylic acid and zinc ointment.
10. Decoctions and infusions of oak and juniper bark are used.
11. Advantan, Lorinden, Oxycort, Fluorocort, and Flucinar ointments are also very effective.
12. Relieve skin inflammation with aspirin and nidomethacin.
13. Take B vitamins and vitamin C.
14. Antihistamines are used: diphenhydramine, suprastin, tavegil, claritin, fenkarol.

If a person is predisposed to sun allergies, he is recommended to use creams with a high level of sun protection.

To prevent hives, people are advised to take horseradish juice, which is mixed with bee honey, or - 50 ml of tincture peppermint before eating.

I consider an effective hop infusion, which is prepared by pouring 1 tablespoon of hops into 200 ml of boiling water. Take 70 ml before meals.

It is very important that a person includes fresh parsley and cabbage on the menu, which are very rich in vitamin C and PP. They make the skin less sensitive to solar radiation.

One universal remedy There is no remedy that would cure sun allergies. Therefore, it is necessary to follow an individual approach, which will depend on the location of the inflammation on the skin, the intensity of the rash, and the presence of general symptoms.

Local treatment of allergies involves the use of creams and ointments that have anti-inflammatory properties:

• Those places where the skin is very sensitive and tender should be rubbed with cream. It can also be applied to prevent photodermatoses.
• To places where the skin is denser, apply ointments that will be better absorbed.
• if photodermatitis occurs on the scalp, it is necessary to use an emulsion.

The blisters that have formed at the site of the burns cannot be pierced, since in this way you can introduce an infection into the open wound and contribute to the formation of pustules.

For general treatment, antiallergic drugs are used:

• antihistamines taken in tablet form for 5 days;
• when allergic reactions are pronounced, manifested by a rash and swelling, it is necessary to seek the help of antiallergic injections.

When you take antihistamines, it is worth remembering that they reduce the intensity of allergy symptoms and do not eliminate the cause of the disease, so you need to completely limit contact with photosensitizing substances:

• cosmetics, deodorants;
• washing powders, detergents;
• plants;
• products that include legumes;
• any medications that can cause photosensitivity.

If we are talking about endogenous photodermatosis and it is not possible to limit contact with allergens, it is necessary to follow the rules of prevention allergic diseases:

• wear a wide-brimmed hat;
• put on clothes light colors made from lightweight natural fabric, with long sleeves and small cutouts;
• apply sun protection creams;
• wear sunglasses.

The following drugs are most widely used for the treatment of photodermatitis:

• non-hormonal ointment or cream. They are able to relieve skin inflammation and itching. For example, “Fenistil gel”, “Desitin”, “Dexpanthenol”, “Psilo-balm”.
• corticosteroid medications. They are used when acute forms allergies to the sun, only as prescribed by a doctor. They have a short course of treatment (up to five days), because an overdose of these drugs can provoke the development of erythema, vasodilation, and cosmetic skin defects.
• other ointments. These are mainly drugs based on zinc, methyluracil, and hydrocortisone. All of them are available for free sale in pharmacies. They help eliminate inflammatory processes and promote skin restoration.
• antihistamines. Reduce skin itching, prevent the development of rashes, complications such as swelling of the mucous membranes. These drugs are “Erius”, “Cetrin”, “Tavegil”.
  vitamin therapy, immunotherapy. Since reduced immunity and a lack of vitamins in the body can contribute to the development of allergies, special attention should be paid to strengthening the immune system.
• enterosorbents (Polysorb, Polyphepan, Enterosgel). Helps cleanse the body of toxic substances, allergens. Taking them along with sufficient quantity liquid (2-2.5 liters), a person can quickly get rid of allergy symptoms.
• drugs for the treatment of the liver. These include hepatoprotectors such as “Karsil”, “Glutargin”, “Silibor”, “Gepabene” and other herbal preparations.

The duration of use and dose of any of these drugs should be prescribed by a doctor. Treatment often lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks. If you pick up incorrect treatment, it will not give any results and will contribute to the disease developing into chronic form. And this will complicate the treatment process and worsen the patient’s life.

Folk remedies

Wormwood and celandine

To treat “sun” allergies, wormwood and celandine are used. If rashes and redness appear on the skin under the influence of the sun's rays, it is worth wiping the affected areas with an alcoholic tincture of wormwood. Plus, take baths with celandine infusion

Oil with celandine

If your skin begins to become blistered and red from overexposure to sunlight, you can use celandine oil. In order to prepare it, fill a liter jar with celandine flowers, then fill them halfway with vegetable oil and leave for 3 weeks. During sleep, the affected areas are wiped with hydrogen peroxide and a napkin soaked in this oil is placed on top. A film is placed on top of it, which is secured with an adhesive plaster. The next morning, remove the compress, wipe the skin with peroxide again, and repeat the same procedure. next night. Noticeable results appear after just three procedures.

Wormwood decoction

A strong, strained decoction of wormwood is used to wipe the affected areas of the skin. It stops itching after a couple of minutes, and after a few procedures the itching and redness completely disappear.

Herbal baths

For very bright and severe symptoms of sun allergy, herbal baths can help. So, if a patient’s skin and eyes begin to swell due to exposure to sunlight, and severe itching appears, it is worth doing special baths several times during the day. They add birch leaves, linden, walnut, viburnum, rosehip, pine needles, spruce, celandine, mint, lemon balm, clover, plantain, chamomile, tansy, yarrow. Dry herbs can be used in spring and fresh herbs in summer.

Hercules flake baths

To prepare such a bath you need to take half a kilogram oatmeal, pour 500 ml of boiling water over them and leave to dissolve for 1 hour, then add the resulting mixture to the bath. You need to take such baths several times a week.

Vegetable juice

Juice from cucumbers, cabbage, and potatoes is very effective for sunburn. It is used both internally and externally, lubricating irritated areas of the skin.

Celery juice

Freshly squeezed celery juice acts as a medicine. You can prepare it by passing the plant root through a meat grinder and squeezing the resulting mass well. You need to take this juice three times a day, 1 tablespoon.

Help for fainting

First of all, you need to call an ambulance very quickly. Before the ambulance arrives, it is necessary to carry out a number of activities:

• take the person to a shaded place;
• lay him on a horizontal surface on his back;
• Elevate your legs slightly to increase blood flow to your head;
• unbutton clothes around the neck;
• splash cool water on your face;
• bring a cotton swab with ammonia to your nose.

Afterwards it is worth holding events in inpatient conditions, which involve normalizing blood pressure, administering antihistamines and removing toxic substances.

Sun allergy is accompanied by inflammatory processes on the skin caused by exposure to sunlight.

This disease does not seem dangerous, but if treatment is not started in time, complications may appear in the form of eczema or a chronic form of such an allergy.

An allergic reaction to the sun appears due to exposure to ultraviolet rays when they combine with substances located on the surface of the skin or inside the human body.

TO internal factors that provoke the disease include:

• antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline;
• medications used to treat the cardiovascular system;
• aspirin;
• antibacterial drugs;
• ibuprofen;
• sedatives;
• diuretics;
• sleeping pills;
• hormonal contraceptives with big amount estrogen;
• lack of vitamins in the body;
• reduced body resistance to various external factors;
• liver and kidney diseases.

External factors that provoke a negative reaction of the skin to sunlight include the use of creams and lotions, especially those containing sandalwood oil and musk.

Risk group

Allergy to the sun can rarely be found in healthy, young people; usually, the risk group includes the following categories:

There are a huge number of reasons for the occurrence of a negative reaction to the sun, and in order to avoid it, it is necessary to minimize all risks and not sunbathe while taking these medications and not use various cosmetics.

Kinds

The body's reaction to ultraviolet rays can be different, so experts distinguish the following types:

1. Photorheumatic reactions- occur even in healthy people with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially during dangerous hours (from 11.00 to 16.00), the main symptom is the appearance sunburn;
2. Phototoxic reactions- most often occur due to the intake of various medications, herbs and products containing photosensitizers. Sunburn appears as swelling, blistering and redness;
3. Photoallergic reactions- occur in people whose skin rejects exposure to sunlight and responds negatively to it. Most often this happens due to reduced immunity, diseases thyroid gland, liver and kidneys. It manifests itself in the form of a rash, thickening of the skin, roughness, pigmentation and the appearance of furrows.

Complete rejection of sunlight is extremely rare. Typically, a negative reaction occurs under the influence various drugs And cosmetics.

Symptoms

Since sun allergy is a skin disease, it is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• on skin that is exposed to direct sunlight, a rash, redness, and abscesses form;
• you can often notice the formation of rough irregularities that cause pain;
• in some cases, the skin will crust, scale, and bleed;
• In appearance, this disease resembles urticaria or dermatitis.

Besides external symptoms, under the influence of the pathogen, you may notice an increase in body temperature, dizziness, and a decrease in blood pressure.

All the dangers that can be caused by the sun, watch the video, what doctors say:

Diagnostics

To correctly identify the disease, you need to seek help from a specialist, namely a dermatologist. He will conduct a survey of the patient, during which the cause of the negative reaction will be determined, followed by a dermatological examination.

Also, in addition to questioning and examination, the person is sent for dermatoscopy and application tests. All this is necessary in order not to confuse sun allergy with other diseases.

Also, a dermatologist may prescribe additional research, in order to not only make a diagnosis as accurately as possible, but also determine the cause. Such studies include urine and blood tests, ultrasound ( ultrasonography), Zimnitsky samples, etc.

Traditional medicine

Treatment of sun allergy is aimed at eliminating the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, that is, itching, swelling, redness, etc. Also, doctors separately investigate the cause of the allergy and try to eliminate it, thereby avoiding a relapse.

The following drugs are most often used to treat allergies:

Before taking any drug, you should definitely consult a dermatologist, because only he can determine the extent of the disease and its cause. Also, taking a particular drug is strictly individual; when prescribing it, the doctor takes into account all the characteristics of the human body.

ethnoscience

Traditional medicine methods help to effectively cope with the consequences of sun allergies, that is, the appearance of rashes, itching, redness, etc.

Products for external use

Means for oral administration

1. To remove toxins from the body, you can drink a tablespoon of celery juice three times a day;
2. Every morning you can drink freshly brewed tea from the series;
3. Another herbal mixture is prepared from 5 tablespoons of buckthorn bark, 5 tablespoons of St. John's wort and 2 tablespoons of aspen buds. The mixture is poured with 500 milliliters of boiling water and left for 20 minutes, then filtered and taken a teaspoon three times a day.

Regardless of how the treatment proceeds, with the help of folk remedies or medications, important rules must be followed. Namely, do not expose the affected skin to direct sunlight, do not use creams and do not scratch itchy areas.

Lifestyle

Having an allergy to the sun significantly affects a person’s lifestyle:

• the main rule is to avoid open sunlight, and it is recommended to wear closed clothing;
• you need to stop taking medications that affect the body’s compatibility with ultraviolet radiation; the same rule applies to individual products.

How a person behaves during an exacerbation of the disease largely affects the speed of treatment and whether the sun allergy returns or not.

Sun allergies are most common in people with weakened immune systems. Treatment of such a disease is quite easy and quick, the main thing is to start therapy on time and follow all the instructions of the attending physician.

If you do not provoke a negative reaction to ultraviolet radiation in the future, there will be no trace of the previous allergy.

In contact with

Sunlight is an integral phenomenon in the life of every living creature.

On the one hand, the sun has a huge impact positive influence on the body: activates metabolic processes, stimulates the production of vitamin D, improves mood.

But, on the other hand, it promotes rapid aging of the skin, increases pigmentation, and increases the risk of developing cancerous tumors, instantly aggravates allergic reactions and is a great provocateur of the immune system (the immune system begins to “incorrectly” react to harmless things).

Types of sun allergies

Ultraviolet rays with a certain wavelength excite immune cells (basophils), which are located deep in the skin. As a result, basophils explode under the influence of UV radiation.

This process activates the release of enzymes such as serotonin and others; they are elements of inflammatory compounds that are released into the thickness of the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

There are the following types of body reactions to sunlight:

1. Phototraumatic– This is when a person gets sunburn on their skin. The reaction can occur both in people suffering from allergies and in completely healthy people. UV rays act in different time varies per person:
   • in the first 15-20 minutes, warming and antidepressant effects occur, as well as the production of vitamin D;
   • After 2 hours of exposure to the sun, sunburn, pigmentation, and decreased immunity may develop.
2. Phototoxic– this is when burns appear on the skin, severe redness caused by certain medications or cosmetics, as well as certain foods. Medicine calls such substances photosensitizers. More often, women and children suffer from this type of reaction to solar radiation, as they constantly use cosmetics.
3. Photoallergic- This is a specific reaction of the body to UV radiation. Immune cells go into attack and the body begins to release substances that cause inflammation and swelling. Because of such a reaction, you can die if timely help is not provided. Such a response from the body can occur both in the first minutes of exposure to the sun and over several days.

Photos of types of reactions:

Sunburn

Photodermatosis

Severe photosensitivity after taking medications

Symptoms of the reaction

Each of these reactions appears on open areas of the body:

• on the face;
• on shoulders;
• on hands;
• on foot;
• on the skin of the body.

In children, rashes can be noticed in the first minutes or hours of sunbathing. Sometimes the consequences of sun exposure in a child look like.

Photos of sunburn in children:

Minor negative symptoms often begin with the appearance of the first spring sun, and their intensity especially increases in the summer. By the end of the summer season, the brightness of the negative signs subsides.

In adults, it all starts with the appearance of blisters, elevations on the skin, and roughness. This rash is itchy and itchy, and there is a feeling of heat in the affected areas.

Redness may spread beyond the “sick” areas and may take on a swollen appearance. When neglected, red spots turn into weeping wounds and cracks. Exposure to the sun also affects the general condition of a person. There may be fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, decreased blood pressure as a result of fainting.

Causes of pathology

Sun allergies can occur in any place where sunlight is present:

• in the city;
• In the woods;
• on vacation in hot countries;
• after sunbathing in a solarium, etc.

List of reasons contributing to the appearance of photodermatoses:

People with fair skin and hair, children under 3 years of age, and pregnant women are especially susceptible to the negative effects of the sun.

Changes that occur on the skin under the influence of the sun during childhood are irreversible. They accumulate and appear already in adulthood. If a child has received a sunburn (age under 3 years is considered the most dangerous), then the possibility of consequences from UV radiation increases significantly.

Video from Dr. Malysheva:

List of photosensitizers

Photosensitizers are substances of various origins, causing an increase sensitivity of the skin to solar radiation. Often they are the ones who provoke negative conditions in the dermis.

Therefore, if you belong to a risk group or are planning a vacation at the height of summer days, then you should exclude the list of the following products and medications from use:

• alcoholic drinks, especially red wine;
• tomatoes, carrots, sour apples, citrus fruits, figs, pomegranate, parsley, celery;
• freshly squeezed juices from these products;
• cosmetics containing oils of musk, bergamot, lime;
• cream or medications containing St. John's wort;
• antibiotics of the tetracycline group (Doxal, Doxycyline, Unidox, Tetracycline, Rondomycin, etc.);
• corticosteroid hormonal drugs (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Sinaflan, Dermovate, etc.);
• drugs that slow down cell division (Flutamide, Methotrexate, Azotriopine, etc.);
• means for lowering blood sugar (Diabeton, Siofor, Novonorm, etc.);
• antidepressants, antipsychotics (Bifol, Azafen, Aminosyl, Truxal, etc.);
• oral contraceptives with a high content of estrogens (Tri-regol, Ovidon, etc.);
• aspirin;
• cardiac medications (Cardiomagnyl, Magnicor, etc.);
• retinol cream;
• vitamins B6 and B2;
• diuretics (Furasemide, Pamid, Indap);
• antifungal agents (Griseofulvin, Lamisil, Tsidokan, etc.);
• fluoroquinolones (Ofloxocin, Ciprofloxocin, etc.).

In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, carefully study the instructions for medications and follow the recommendations of your doctor.

Treatment methods

Like any disease, photodermatosis has certain treatment tactics. The course of treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, especially if it concerns children.

How to get rid of an allergic reaction?

First of all, you need to exclude the factor allergic. During moments of intense solar radiation, wear clothes that cover all possible areas of the body, and hats with wide brims (this will add zest to a woman’s look).

Try to spend more time in the shade, although there is also UV radiation there, but in a less intense form. When the first symptoms appear, you should take a cool shower or wet the affected areas with a damp, cool towel. Do not use in this moment detergents, this may make the problem worse.

Drugs

You should take desensitizing tablets internally:

• and etc.

When choosing them, you should focus on the age of the victim and carefully study the instructions in order to correctly calculate the dosage. Drugs in the form of drops begin to act faster. Third generation drugs – the best remedy for the safe relief of allergy symptoms, since they do not affect the nervous system and are not sedative.

For local treatment you can use gels or creams:

• ointment;
• Dermodrin ointment, etc.

These remedies will help quickly relieve itching.

For quick effect some doctors prescribe . Hormonal agents allow you to solve the problem within a day. Local use of hormones is safe, since absorption of the drug occurs to a minimum.

Such drugs include:

• Prednisolone;
• Sinaflan;
• and etc.

For healing and To eliminate redness, you should use dexpanthenol-based creams:

• D-panthenol;
• Dexpanthenol.

To treat burns, it is better to use:

• Panthenol spray;
• Solcoseryl gel or ointment;
• Psilo-balm cream.

It is also worth cleansing the body from the inside of toxins and allergens.

For this purpose, sorbents are used:

• Smecta;
• White coal, etc.

During this period, it is necessary to drink more clean water.

In this situation, you can use vitamins A, E, nicotinic acid, calcium. It is also worth adhering to, excluding alcohol and products containing photosensitizers.

Folk remedies

To improve results traditional therapy It's worth using the recipes. In such cases, she recommends ingesting Chinese brown algae - spirulina. It increases the body's protective properties and normalizes metabolism.

The vitamins and microelements contained in it improve the condition of the skin, eliminate inflammatory processes, and improve immunity. It is recommended to take 2 capsules three times a day.

There are contraindications:

• thrombosis;
• heart attack or stroke;
• stomach ulcer;
• internal bleeding.

For local application Lotions with a decoction help a lot. For a glass of boiling water you need to take 2 tablespoons of string grass. Infuse the broth until cold and strain. Soak a sterile bandage in the broth and apply to painful areas for 15-20 minutes. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day. This will relieve inflammation and itching and speed up healing.

The use of folk remedies cannot be a complete alternative to traditional ones medical supplies. This is just a good addition to the treatment prescribed by your doctor.

Measures to prevent photodermatosis:

1. Start sunbathing in doses; the more gradually the skin gets used to sunlight, the less risk occurrence of negative reactions. It is worth starting to introduce kids to the sun with 5-10 minutes of exposure to the sun.
2. Avoid exposure to air in the summer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During this period of time, UV radiation is the most aggressive.
3. Protect your skin with clothing as much as possible and wear hats. This is especially true for young children. Their skin is super sensitive and delicate.
4. Apply photoprotective cream to exposed areas of the dermis. For the best protective effect, they should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and repeated every 2 hours. Such protection should also be used on a cloudy day, since UV rays can be reflected and scattered. Choose a cream with a protection factor of SPF 50+ (this number shows the degree of protection; the higher it is, the more protected the skin is). For people prone to allergies and children, it is better to choose a product based on mineral filters. They are considered the safest sunscreen bases.
5. Avoid visits - this is an aggressive factor on the skin, which can cause irreversible consequences.
6. Read the instructions for the medications you use very carefully. The presence of components in them that increase skin sensitivity can lead to allergic rashes. Any unclear points should be discussed with your doctor.
7. Before a planned vacation, do an audit of the food in your home in advance. Avoid foods that contain photosensitizers for a while.

Protection depending on skin color type

You should always remember that the damage caused by the sun is cumulative, so you should always approach each new vacation wisely. This will help maintain health and protect against disastrous consequences in the future.

This pathology occurs in 20% of the entire world population, being a form of dermatitis caused by the individual susceptibility of the immune system. With absence timely treatment inflammatory processes can become chronic or transform into different kinds eczema

Mechanism of development of photodermatitis

As a rule, direct sunlight cannot lead to an acute reaction, but they can be catalysts for a negative immune reaction, manifesting themselves in the following forms:

• phototraumatic reaction (characterized by an ordinary sunburn);
• phototoxic reaction (occurs when a drug interacts with sunlight, resulting in photodermatosis);
• photosensitivity (in patients predisposed to the disease, sun allergy is expressed by strong pigmentation and swelling of the eyes).

Photodermatosis after severe sun tanning provokes a response defense of the body, causing aggression towards the irritant. In this case, the body activates histamine and acetylcholine, which contribute to itching, irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and rashes throughout the body.

Factors causing solar dermatitis

Many patients who first encountered an allergy to sun rays do not know why and to what substances acute symptoms arose, without even assuming that the cause of swelling of the eyes and hyperemic rash is photodermatitis. In addition, some diseases can provoke sun allergies. These include:

• chronic liver and kidney failure;
• pathological processes of the gastrointestinal tract;
• inflammatory process gallbladder and thyroid gland;
• helminthic infestations;
• lack of vitamins;
• violation of medication intake;

• genetic factor;
• sometimes the causes of solar dermatitis are provoked various plants(hogweed, nettle, quinoa, etc.) in contact with the skin on the hands, face and mucous membrane of the eyes;
• Sun allergy is possible as a result of interaction with disinfectants and perfumes, which contain various additives. After using such drugs, the possibility of developing an allergy to sunlight increases sharply.

In addition, such medications, as neuroleptics, antibiotics, tetracyclines and sulfonamides can cause an acute attack of solar allergy.

Patients at risk

Most often, solar dermatitis can appear in the following categories of patients:

• people with pale skin;
• younger children age category;
• women during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth;

• those who like to tattoo their eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as those who spend a lot of time in solariums.

Allergic symptoms in children deserve special attention. If the child pale skin, freckles on the face and red hair, then negative symptoms after contact with direct sunlight appear in every second baby, manifested by hand burns, eye irritation and deterioration in the general condition of the body.

Main forms of photodermatoses

Symptoms and treatment of solar dermatitis depend on the type of allergic reaction.

Polymorphic photodermatosis

Solar photodermatosis is characterized by the appearance of an itchy rash in the form of small blisters with liquid inside. The allergic reaction occurs several hours after the patient is exposed to the sun. Photodermatosis is often accompanied by spastic headaches, chills and bouts of vomiting. The location of the rash is predominantly an open area of ​​the body (neck, chest, legs and arms).

As a rule, polymorphic photodermatosis goes away on its own after 2-3 days, however, in some categories of patients, rashes may appear regularly and lead to a decrease in susceptibility to sunlight.

Mild-stage solar dermatitis can be eliminated by applying a cold compress and sprinkling water on the burned areas. In case of severe symptoms, antiallergic drugs and hydrocortisone cream (ointment) are prescribed. Sometimes your doctor may recommend phototherapy, in which the skin is gradually exposed to minimal ultraviolet radiation to develop immunity to sunlight. Sometimes phototherapy can combine psoralens, beta-carotene tablets and antimalarial drugs as an adjuvant therapy.

Solar prurigo

Solar photodermatosis, like polymorphic one, is a genetic disease and, as a rule, develops in young children or adolescents. Symptoms of prurigo resemble polymorphic photodermatosis, but the rash is most often localized on the face.

Exacerbations are observed in the spring and summer, when the sun is most active. Treatment of this form of the disease involves the use of glucocorticosteroids, thalidomides, beta-carotene, and antimalarials. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, solar dermatitis can be treated with complex UV radiation.

Light polymorphic rashes

In the case when the skin is exposed to insolation, a number of chemicals that may be present in creams, perfumes, antiallergic ointments, cosmetics, etc. can cause a negative reaction to sunlight. The result of this interaction is a finely blistered hyperemic rash (blisters), which can subsequently open on their own, forming a scab.

Typically, solar dermatitis appears 2-4 days after exposure to sunlight. The duration of the disease of this form depends on the severity of the influence of certain chemical components. At the same time, in addition to the usual treatment tactics, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the allergen that caused the violent reaction.

Solar urticaria

Solar photodermatitis of this form occurs very rarely and is considered a true allergic reaction to sunlight. As a result of their contact with the skin, a urticaria rash (urticaria) appears. Acute allergic symptoms can appear 5-7 minutes after contact with the sun, but an urticarial rash can also quickly disappear after 1.5 - 2 hours from the onset of the rash.

Solar photodermatitis is treated with antihistamines, and may also be prescribed a hormonal cream to relieve the rash and other medications, such as flavonoids (quarcetin and aloe vera) and vitamins E. These drugs can speed up the regeneration processes of the affected tissue.

Photodermatitis due to artificial ultraviolet rays

The polymorphic light rash that appears as a result of exposure to artificial UV rays is practically no different from the symptoms that accompany solar photodermatitis. The symptoms and severity of allergies directly depend on the intensity of exposure to rays. Therefore, there are no special differences between a solarium and the sun.

It is important to consider that there are occupationally hazardous activities associated with UV radiation. In this case, photodermatitis is accompanied by conjunctivitis, keratitis, and general intoxication of the body.

Under the influence of thermal irritants on the skin medium degree intensity (heating pad, compress, etc.), the formation of limited short-term erythema is possible. Repeated exposure to the skin can provoke the appearance of a brown tint and a vascular pattern on the skin, which is explained by the constant expansion of the vascular walls at the site of overheating.

Typical symptoms of sun allergy

Symptoms of hypersensitivity to sunlight can be quite varied. Depending on the cause of sun allergy, as well as the age category of the patient and external influences, the symptoms of solar photodermatitis are characterized by:

Allergies in the hand area

Solar photodermatosis on the hands is manifested by hyperemia of the skin, followed by itching and peeling, as well as purulent rashes, a burning sensation, and sometimes tissue swelling. This reaction of the body, as a rule, is closely related to weakened immunity, when even the slightest exposure to sunlight on exposed areas of the hands leads to negative consequences. In this case, an allergy to the sun (especially in the area of ​​the face, eyes and hands) is indicated in the form of a tumor.

In complicated cases, unbearable itching leads to the formation of crusts and bleeding. Subsequently, the wounds are covered with scab and heal. Often, an allergic reaction from the sun manifests itself in extensive hives, eczema and other skin diseases. Most often it is observed in weakened people. It is important to note that sun allergy symptoms on the skin do not only appear at the site of sunburn. If an acute allergy develops according to the eczematous type, it occurs in any area.

Characteristic symptoms in the eye area

Allergic manifestations in the eye area can occur in patients of different age groups, since solar photodermatosis primarily affects the mucous membranes of the eyes. Quite often, an allergy to the sun appears in the facial area, swelling of the mucous membrane, and asthmatic manifestations. In addition, allergic rhinitis develops in almost every case. The main cause of allergic symptoms in the eyes is contact with an allergen, so the eye area must be protected from sunlight with sunglasses.

Pathological symptoms may be accompanied by obligatory signs (itching in the eyelid area, redness and swelling of the skin around the eyes, photophobia and lacrimation). In some cases, painless swelling of the eyes may occur, which requires additional diagnostics. This course most often indicates the addition of a food allergy.

Depending on the severity of sun damage to the eyes, the following manifestations are noted:

• conjunctivitis is the most common form allergic manifestations with signs of classic allergies in the form of redness and irritation of the membranes of the eye. In addition, the development of chemosis (vitreous edema) is likely;
• keratitis - an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the eye, accompanied by painful itching, hyperemia and lacrimation;

• allergic photodermatitis - expressed by a response of the immune system in the eye area when using cosmetics and medications. These drugs can cause hyperemia, swelling, profuse rashes and unbearable itching of the eyes.

In particularly difficult cases, photodermatitis can be complicated by uveitis (an inflammatory process in the vascular walls of the eyes, optic nerve and retina), which indicates the spread pathological process inside the eyes.

Allergy to the sun in children

Solar dermatitis occurs in a child as a result of increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays. Of no small importance are genetics, para-aminobenzoic acids, which are included in the sunscreen used to protect the child, as well as external allergens (plants), sometimes present on the baby’s skin.

• An allergy to the sun in a child has exactly the same symptoms that are observed with any allergic manifestations ( itchy skin, especially in the eye area, rhinitis, increased lacrimation from the eyes, skin rashes etc.);

• If such symptoms develop, you need to know how to get rid of sun allergies using all known methods used to treat allergic diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to seek the help of a highly qualified specialist for further appointments;
• in the case when a child has photodermatitis, it is necessary to always have medications on hand to eliminate negative symptoms. It doesn't matter where there's a child coming- to the cinema, to the beach, to the store, etc. Photodermatitis requires timely warning. The condition of young children should be monitored by parents, and teenagers should be taught how to use first aid independently;
• if photodermatosis provokes the appearance of erythema, it is necessary to use a cream with corticosteroids, talkers, wet lotions, etc. It is better to take as a basis an astringent solution from a mixture of 2% tannin solution and 0.25% silver solution. For pain relief, you can use products with the addition of anesthesin, which are applied to the affected area of ​​the skin;
• Treatment of a child with NSAIDs is not recommended ( non-steroidal drugs). Numerous studies and reviews from doctors confirm that NSAIDs can increase photosensitivity in children;
• a good effect is achieved in eliminating vesicles with the help of Elokom, Afloderm, Lokoid, etc. These hormonal ointments quickly relieve allergic symptoms in both children and adult patients.

To prevent sun allergies, it is recommended to use vitamin therapy (C, PP, B) and antioxidants (tocopherol acetate, methionine, alpha-tocopherol). It is important to note that children with good physical health do not have an allergic reaction to the sun, therefore, when an allergic reaction to the sun occurs (especially in infant) requires a thorough diagnosis.

Providing first aid for an acute allergic reaction

When an allergy to the sun has developed acutely and negative symptoms are rapidly increasing, it is recommended to call an ambulance, but before arriving the patient must be given first aid. first aid, which significantly relieves symptoms.

1. First of all, the patient must comply drinking regime, since with an allergy to sunlight, severe dehydration occurs. You can drink pure or mineral water, excluding milk, tea and coffee.

1. You can apply it to your hands, face and all exposed parts of the body. cold compress, which is recommended to be done at least 2-3 times, constantly cooling the napkin. In case of hyperthermia, it is recommended to give the patient antipyretic drugs. If you have antihistamines on hand, you should give them to the patient to relieve acute symptoms.

An allergic reaction from the sun can quite often provoke vomiting reflex, so you need to put the patient on his right side so that asphyxia does not occur.

Drug treatment

For sun allergies in children, as well as in adult patients, it is necessary to carry out complex treatment, not just relieving the symptoms, but also eliminating and correcting the main causes that provoked the disease.

As a rule, the following allergy treatment is prescribed:

Antihistamines

Antihistamine tablets for sun allergies, as well as sterile solutions for intramuscular and intravenous injections, effectively relieve skin itching, preventing further spread of the rash and neutralizing swelling. The most commonly prescribed are Erius, Zyrtec, Loratadine, Cetrin, Tavegil, etc.

Enterosorbents

Often the causes of an acute allergic reaction are caused by toxins formed in the body when attacked by allergens. To remove them, enterosorbents are prescribed (Polysorb, Enterolsgel, Polyphepan, etc.).

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Few patients know what anti-inflammatory drugs are used for allergies. However, it is important to note that drugs such as Indomethacin, Ketotifen, Ibuprofen, etc. allow you to cure solar dermatitis in adult patients, actively relieving inflammatory processes and preventing possible complications. Their use is not promising for treating children.

If allergy symptoms are not relieved as a result of ineffective treatment, the inflammatory process can become chronic. Therefore, more aggressive tactics may be prescribed for treatment, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and the severity of allergic manifestations. The course of treatment and dosage of the drug is selected directly by the doctor.

Glucocorticosteroid drugs

Corticosteroids are prescribed for severe disease. You should know why the course of treatment with corticosteroids can be short-term. Despite the fact that these medications are quite effective and almost completely eliminate negative symptoms(swelling in the eyes, itchy rashes, etc.), they are hormonal and can cause harm to the body. With prolonged use of hormone therapy, a reverse skin process may occur with the formation of erythema, vasodilation, and cosmetic defects on the skin, etc. Therefore, treatment with corticosteroids for more than 5 days is not recommended.

The use of ointments and creams in the treatment of photodermatitis

The most effective drugs for relieving allergic symptoms are:

Fluorocort

This external drug is an active glucocorticosteroid. It is important to remember that this cream, which neutralizes photodermatosis, actively relieves negative symptoms. Its action is aimed at eliminating dry skin and flaking, relieving pain and itching. In addition, Fluorocort has a mild sedative effect. The average price category is 450-500 rubles per package.

Cream La-Cri

Solar dermatitis is effectively neutralized antihistamines external action La-Cri. Numerous patient reviews indicate its positive impact within a short period of time. It quickly relieves itching, softening the skin and relieving inflammation. La-Cri contains extracts of natural herbs and Panthenol. average price the drug is 300-350 rubles.

Panthenol

This drug contains Dexpanthenol, which soothes the skin, moisturizes it, softens and eliminates skin irritation caused by sunlight. In addition, Panthenol regenerates damaged epidermis. The average price of the drug is 200-220 rubles.

To obtain the best effect, solar dermatitis involves simultaneous combination antihistamines and anti-inflammatory creams. This will help neutralize the symptoms of the disease as quickly as possible. It is important to remember that any therapy is carried out only after consultation with the attending physician.

Non-hormonal creams and ointments

(Skin-cap, Bepanten, Protopic, Epidel, etc.) are used to relieve itching and allergic irritation. Name of drugs on ointment base may be different. The most commonly used cream is Desitin, Fenistil gel, Elidel cream, Dexpanthenol, Psilo-balm and other ointments and gels that relieve negative manifestations on the skin, as well as itching.

Ointments such as Methyluracil and Zinc, which dry out the skin well and have an antiseptic effect, received good reviews from patients. As a rule, these types of ointments can be purchased at any pharmacy chain over the counter.

Treatment of sun allergies folk remedies

Before treating sun allergies with medication, you can use folk remedies to get rid of allergic symptoms. Folk remedies can effectively neutralize the symptoms of sun allergy, improving the general condition of the patient.

1. A popular remedy for sun allergies is cucumber, potato and cabbage juice, which is applied to the hands, and then the area of ​​the affected body is lubricated with it. The juice helps heal the wound surface and relieve inflammation. In addition to external use, popular advice recommends taking freshly squeezed juice orally.
2. Often enough folk recipes Treatment of sun allergies recommend the use of celery juice. To do this, you need to take the roots of the plant and grind them in a meat grinder, squeezing out the resulting mass. Juice is taken 1 tbsp. l. 3 r.

1. Folk recipes with rolled oats are good for relieving symptoms of allergies to sun rays. Hercules baths are the most effective. To do this, you need to pour 0.5 kg of rolled oats into 500 ml. hot water, leaving to infuse for 45 minutes. The mass is then added to the bath while the patient is bathing. For greater effectiveness, treatment with folk remedies is recommended simultaneously with drug therapy.

Preventive actions

Treatment of sun allergy requires adherence to prevention, since any disease is easier to prevent than to cure.

• Before visiting the beach, you must use sunscreen or ointments consisting of natural ingredients. Otherwise, sunscreen will not be able to protect against burns, but, on the contrary, will increase the negative impact;
• After swimming, you must immediately go into the shade. It is advisable not to wipe yourself dry, which will protect the skin from drying out;
• it is necessary to wear clothes with closed sleeves made of cotton fabric that protect the skin on the eyes and hands from the sun's rays and use a wide-brimmed hat (a cap with a long visor);
• Patients who have solar dermatitis are advised to walk in the evening, when sun activity is as low as possible. In addition, if there is a genetic predisposition to allergies, patients should always carry antiallergy medications with them in order to prevent photodermatitis.

In the event that a patient has negative symptoms when exposed to ultraviolet rays, it is necessary to seek medical help, since an allergic reaction from the sun can be unpredictable.

AllergiyaNet.ru

Allergy to the sun is an unpleasant and quite common phenomenon. Almost 20% of people have felt a negative reaction of the body to the effects of sunlight at least once in their lives.

Photodermatosis affects people with to varying degrees skin sensitivity. Agree, when itching, redness, and blisters appear every time you go to the beach, your vacation will be ruined. Many people do not know what unpleasant symptoms mean and how to get rid of them. Information about photodermatosis will certainly be useful.

Causes

Symptoms of sun allergy appear:

• while relaxing by the sea, in the forest;
• when visiting hot countries;
• during field work;
• after long-term use sunbathing;
• after swimming in the pool.

Most people are unaware of the existence of such a disease. Sun allergy affects both infants and adults.

Risk group;

• kids;
• people with light skin and hair;
• future mothers;
• fans of going to the solarium;
• persons with weakened immune systems.

Note! Before going to the sea, did you carry out active effects on the epidermis (chemical peeling, tattooing, active cosmetic procedures)? The risk of photodermatosis increases several times.

Irritation of the skin and increased sensitivity to sunlight appears due to a combination of internal and external factors. How weaker immunity, the higher the risk of allergic reactions.

This statement 100% applies to photodermatosis. This is why infants and small children with imperfect immune system often suffer from this type of allergy.

Provoking factors (internal):

• diseases of the intestines, liver, pancreas;
• weakened immune system;
• vitamin deficiency;
• violation of metabolic processes;
• chronic diseases with a sluggish course.

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Provoking factors (external):

• use of certain medications. Allergies are provoked by diuretics, antibiotics, Aspirin, heart medications, oral contraceptives, antidepressants;
• prolonged exposure to the scorching sun;
• cosmetics containing essential oils, eosin (in lipstick), boric acid, salicylic acid;
• medicinal ointments, gels, creams;
• a combination of sunshine and pool, sea or fresh water;
• pollen from flowering plants.

Note! Often the cause of allergic reactions to the sun is everyone's favorite citrus fruits. They contain photosensitizers - substances that increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Avoid eating lemons, oranges, and tangerines for a period beach holiday. Before going to the sea, do not buy cosmetics containing citrus essential oils.

Symptoms and development of the disease

Depending on the degree of sensitization, signs may appear at the first bright rays of sunlight or a day or two after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

How does sun allergy manifest? Signs:

• At first, the skin turns red and slight peeling appears. Places where unpleasant manifestations are localized are the décolleté area and the face. Sometimes signs of photodermatosis are visible on other parts of the body;
• Often a small reddish rash appears - solar urticaria. IN severe cases blisters can become manifestations of eczema;
• sometimes the body swells. The degree of swelling depends on sensitivity, time of exposure to provoking factors;
• severe itching and burning appears. Unpleasant sensations worsen after contact with water, especially after swimming in a pool with chlorinated water;
• When scratching, wounds often become infected and pustules appear.

Information for parents

Sun allergies are common in children. Their skin is sensitive, delicate, and their immunity is weak. It’s not for nothing that pediatricians advise waiting to travel to hot countries until your baby is older.

Some active parents take with them one year old child, but it’s better to wait until three years. This will make it easier for your baby to withstand exposure to the sun. This recommendation is especially important when visiting exotic countries with an unusually hot climate.

Note! Active exposure to ultraviolet radiation often causes the appearance large quantity moles, which already poses a serious danger to the child’s body.

General rules of treatment

How to get rid of sun allergies? Take note:

• You can get rid of allergies to ultraviolet radiation only by integrated approach;
• An accurate diagnosis is definitely needed. Find a dermatologist as quickly as possible if you are relaxing by the sea, consult, get recommendations;
• eliminate the factor causing negative skin reactions, avoid contact with photosensitizing drugs and substances;
• use antihistamines;
• remember proven, accessible folk methods;
• limit your exposure to direct sun;
• wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Important! If you have previously had skin problems when visiting the beach, and you dealt with them using traditional methods or ointments recommended by neighbors, still consult a doctor. Only a specialist will indicate the reason and tell you how to avoid allergic reactions next summer.

Drug therapy

How to treat sun allergies on the face and other parts of the body? Antihistamines, special creams, ointments, and glucocorticosteroids will help fight photodermatosis. Some drugs cause side effects.

Take pills and use topical remedies only as directed by your doctor. Hormonal ointments Self-prescription is strictly prohibited!

Remedies, medicines, ointments for sun allergies:

• Nurofen – gel;
• Zinc paste;
• Fluorocort – glucocorticosteroid ointment;
• Diclofenac – anti-inflammatory gel;
• Betamethasone is a corticosteroid ointment.

Antihistamines for oral administration(pills):

• Suprastin;
• Cetrin;
• Loratidine;
• Zyrtec;
• Tavegil;
• Zodak;
• Cetirizine;
• Diazolin.

Important! Read the instructions carefully. Some drugs have age restrictions. Always keep antihistamines for children with you when resting. Don't forget to buy tablets and ointments for adult family members.

Folk remedies and recipes

Itching, burning, redness, rash, and blisters plague both adults and children suffering from photodermatosis. Home remedies will ease the condition. For solar urticaria ethnoscience offers many proven tools.

How to cure sun allergy with folk remedies? Several available recipes:

• herbal baths. Prepare the collection. For the healing infusion you will need 2 tbsp. l. celandine, sage, chamomile, string, St. John's wort, valerian root. Pour 1.5 boiling water over the dry mixture and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Leave for an hour, strain, add to bath water. The procedure time is 20–25 minutes. Warm water;
• vegetables for allergies. A good effect is achieved by using potatoes, fresh cucumber, and cabbage leaves. Apply grated potato or cucumber gruel to the affected areas for 30 minutes. Lightly cut the cabbage leaves to release the juice, place them over the inflamed areas, and secure with gauze. There will certainly be an effect;
• celery juice For a small area, such as the face or shoulders, use celery juice. Grind the root in a blender and squeeze out the juice. Lubricate the rash and blisters with an odorous liquid. The itching will certainly decrease;
• decoction of medicinal herbs cleanses the blood, strengthens the immune system, and relieves inflammation. Prepare an infusion of nettle, calamus rhizomes, and cocklebur herb. Proportions – 2 tbsp. l. dry or fresh raw materials - 1 liter of boiling water. Be sure to boil the calamus root for 5 minutes. Accept healing infusion twice a day, 1/3 glass before meals.

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Without following the recommendations, changing some habits to get rid of unpleasant symptoms or it is impossible to prevent photodermatosis. It doesn't matter if you've encountered similar problem or not, knowledge about sun allergies is useful for everyone.

Remember simple rules:

• when going on vacation, put antihistamines (allergy tablets and ointments) in your first aid kit, the effect of which can be found out after a visit to a dermatologist;
• Before going out into the open sun, lubricate your face and body with creams with UV filters. For children, an SPF value of at least 40 units is required;
• Wear hats that protect the delicate skin of your face. It is advisable for women to have a fashionable Panama hat or a hat that also casts a shadow on the shoulders;
• at severe forms photodermatosis, wear light clothing with long sleeves, cover the affected areas from UV rays;
• Before going to the beach, avoid cosmetics with fragrances. Excessively pigmented areas may appear on the body;
• dose sunbathing. It's hard to stand optimal time, which doctors insist on - only 20 minutes - half an hour, but health is more expensive. Remember: half a day under the scorching sun can eventually result in skin diseases of varying severity;
• After swimming, go into the shade if possible. Do not wipe dry, lightly blot the skin. This way you will “kill two birds with one stone”: get rid of droplets that attract active ultraviolet radiation, prevent the skin from drying out;
• It is advisable to sunbathe under a canopy, awning or in the shade. The best time to go to the beach is before 10–11 am or after 4 pm. This rule must be followed by everyone who has ever encountered photodermatosis;
• during rest, avoid citrus fruits, which increase the body’s sensitization to UV rays;
• drink more fluids, do not allow your skin to become excessively dry;
• If you can’t quickly get an appointment with a doctor, use harmless traditional methods. Cabbage leaves, cucumbers or potatoes are not difficult to find;
• If possible, prepare herbal baths or compresses. To combat allergy symptoms, chamomile, which is sold in any pharmacy, will do.

Important! At the first signs of photodermatosis, seek medical help. Follow the recommendations, avoid sunlight. Mild cases of allergies disappear within a week. In advanced situations, therapy often takes several weeks.

What conclusion can be drawn? Prepare in advance for going out into the open sun. Before traveling to hot countries, visit a dermatologist and find out what medications you need to take with you. Treatment of photodermatosis in adults and children will be successful only with an integrated approach. Follow simple rules - and sun allergies will bypass you or not cause serious consequences.

vseokozhe.com

Causes of sun allergies

With the onset of the first warm sunny days, thousands of people rush to nature, to bodies of water, go to the sea, relax in hot countries to bask in the rays of the gentle sun, acquire a golden tan, strengthen the immune system, and health, which repels all depression.

But often many vacationers face such discomfort as sun allergies. Sun allergies can also be confused with other allergic reactions of the body to irritants. But, having figured it out, you need to fix the problem, otherwise your vacation will be ruined.

Allergy to the sun or solar dermatitis (photodermatitis, photodermatosis) appears under various circumstances: prolonged exposure of the skin to bright and hot rays of the sun, a combination of sun exposure with other irritating factors, such as pool chlorine, pollen, cream, deodorant, medications.

For some people, an allergy to the sun appears with the first warm sunny days, and for some, during a holiday in Egypt, Turkey, in other hot countries and holiday destinations, after swimming in open-air pools, after a picnic in meadows, fields, forests.

Sun allergy resembles normal skin irritation in the form of a red rash on the legs, arms and the whole body, as well as in the form of peeling of the skin, small islands of pustular rashes, swelling, simply redness of the skin, itching, burning. Children whose immunity is weakened often suffer from sun allergies after illness.

Long stay in the hot sun, huge doses of ultraviolet radiation different waves, activation of all protective forces for the production of melanin pigment, load on the liver and kidneys, and all this after cold winter and spring days is a huge stress for the whole body, which can also cause sun allergies.

First of all, any allergy is a decrease in immunity, a lack of vitamins in the body, hidden untreated and chronic diseases, decreased liver function, metabolic disorders.

Photodermatitis, photodermatosis

Sun rays by themselves do not cause allergies, but in combination with certain factors, they cause photodermatosis, increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Photodermatids are divided into exogenous and endogenous.

Exogenous are caused by external factors, and endogenous by internal factors.

Factors that provoke the appearance of sun allergies can be phototoxic substances such as bergamot oil, antidiabetic and diuretic drugs, sulfonamides, and even disinfectants, as well as cosmetics and everything related to it.

Allergy to sun rays is also called " solar urticaria"or "solar herpes."

This type of solar allergy usually occurs with prolonged exposure to bright sun.

If you have never had a sun allergy before, by following these simple tips, you can easily avoid its reoccurrence.

How to cope with sun allergies?

1. Use UV protective creams and tanning lotions on your body 20 minutes before sun exposure, and after tanning and showering, apply a moisturizer designed to hydrate and protect your skin after exposure to sunlight.
2. When leaving the water of the sea or river, blot the water, but do not wipe it off, as with a towel you will erase the protective layer of the cream and you will have to apply it again.
It is necessary to blot the body so that the water droplets do not become small lenses that intensify the sun's rays, which can burn the skin even more.
3. Try to use decorative cosmetics, gels, creams as little as possible, eau de toilette, perfumes containing fragrance, since under the influence of sunlight they all provoke the appearance of pigment spots of various colors, which disappear only after two to three weeks.
4. If you are the owner of a very sensitive skin, sunbathe in the shade, under an awning, avoid direct sunlight.
Let your tan not be bronze, but only golden, but you will avoid discomfort from burned skin, peeling and redness, elevated temperature, and so on.
5. To eliminate sun allergies in mild form Usually, ointments containing betamethasone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone easily solve the problem.
Do not relieve redness, burns, itching with folk remedies such as sour cream, vegetable oil, this will not help.
Use special gels after sunbathing, they all contain anti-inflammatory substances, extracts medicinal plants, soothing and cooling skin supplements.
6. Drink at least two liters of still water a day, this will help remove toxic substances from the body and much more.

But if you are on a trip and the problem needs to be solved quickly and on the spot, and rashes ruin your entire vacation, then other tips will come in handy.

1. Before your trip, buy antihistamines at the pharmacy and consult a dermatologist. if you accept contraception, antibiotics, pay attention to the label “causes photosensitivity”, and try to replace them during the rest period.
2. If sun allergies occur, minimize sun exposure until the skin inflammation resolves.
3. Try to support the liver with special medications that normalize its activity, as well as promote normal metabolism in the body and regeneration of the skin.
These are antioxidants, vitamins E, B, C, a nicotinic acid, aspirin, indomethacin, claritin, as a last resort, suprastin and tavegil.
4. Burning and itching are eliminated with ointments containing methirulacil, zinc, lanolin, as well as Zyrtec and Fenistil gel drops.
5. Do not neglect treatment, sun allergies can cause eczema, which will be more difficult to cure.
6. If you are in the resorts of Turkey or Egypt, contact your doctor immediately; they are familiar with these types of skin reactions to the sun and will be able to quickly relieve inflammation, and you can calmly continue your vacation. At the “reception” at the hotel they will tell you which doctor to see, how to get there, and it is possible that there is a doctor in this hotel.

Don’t think that sun allergies are forever and now you won’t be able to fully spend your holidays in the open sun. By finding the cause of your sun allergy and eliminating it, you can say goodbye to it forever, so your best sunny days are yet to come.

And many children simply “outgrow” this problem as they get older.

Have a nice holiday!