Tuesday, July 26, 2011

About Allergies: Sun Allergy

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From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies
Summertime brings outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, camping and just lounging in the backyard. Along with these activities comes sun exposure, which can cause allergic rashes in certain people. In my practice, I often encounter people who say that they are allergic to the sun. With exposure to sunlight, they experience symptoms such as itching, hives or burning. Some have visible rashes while others don't. Some have a medical condition which makes them more sensitive to sunlight; others are using various medications or topical agents that cause a reaction on the skin with sun exposure. It is possible that you can be allergic to the sunlight, with exposure causing hives. More commonly, people experience hives as a result of heat exposure - whether due to the warm of the sun, hot showers or exercise. Other reactions to sunlight occur as a result of contact dermatitis to topically applied products, such as cosmetics and sunblocks.

Hives with Sun Exposure
Solar urticaria is a form of chronic hives that is caused by exposure to sunlight. People with this condition experience itching, redness and hives on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. At times, symptoms can be confused with a sunburn, although solar urticaria can occur within minutes of exposure to the sun, and goes away much quicker (less than a day) after sun exposure has stopped.
See More About:  itching  hives  heat allergy

It's So Hot I've Got Hives!
Cholinergic or heat urticaria is a form of chronic hives that is caused by an increase in body temperature. Hives are caused by any increase in body temperature, such as hot showers, exercise, spicy foods, or being under too many covers in bed at night. Strong emotions may also cause hives to occur in people with cholinergic urticaria.
See More About:  hives  itching  antihistamines

Maybe You've Got a Sunblock Allergy?
Over the past 20 years, the dangers of sun exposure have been recognized, from sun-damaged skin to skin cancer. As a result, the use of sunscreens has become a routine part of our daily lives. This has led to various allergic reactions to the chemicals found in sunscreens. Most of these allergic reactions represent contact dermatitis.



 


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This newsletter is written by:
Daniel More, MD
Allergies Guide
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