Can We Develop a Sun Allergy Later in Life, Even If We Never Had One?

Skin & Wellness Magazine

All our lives we loved the sun. We traveled, sat at the beach, went out for walks and even tanned without thinking about it too much.

And then one day, after a short exposure to the sun, an itchy rash appears on the arms, in the décolletage area or on the neck.

At first we think perhaps it is a new cream, a bite or a reaction to something we ate. But the next time we go out into the sun, it happens again.

How can it be that precisely now, after decades in which our skin managed excellently with the sun, it starts reacting to it differently?

Does a sun allergy really exist?

The term “sun allergy” is used to describe several different conditions in which exposure to sunlight causes a reaction in the skin.

But not every such reaction is an allergy in the exact medical sense.

One of the common conditions is called polymorphous light eruption, or PMLE — Polymorphous Light Eruption.

In this condition an itchy rash appears after exposure to the sun, usually after a few hours and sometimes even later.

The rash can look like small red dots, bumps, spots or slightly swollen areas.

It mostly appears in areas exposed to the sun, such as the arms, chest and neck.

Interestingly, sometimes the face and palms, which are exposed to the sun regularly, are less affected.

Why does this happen precisely now?

Our skin does not stay identical throughout life.

The immune system, the skin barrier, the hormones and our response to environmental factors can change over the years.

Therefore, sensitivity to the sun may appear also in a person who in the past did not experience similar reactions.

However, it is important to know that polymorphous light eruption often begins precisely at a relatively young age, and therefore a new appearance of a rash following the sun at an older age requires thinking about other factors too.

For example, a new medication, a skincare product or a medical condition that causes sensitivity to light.

Is there a connection to menopause?

This is a question that comes up quite a bit.

During perimenopause and menopause hormonal changes occur that affect the skin, including a drop in moisture and changes in the thickness and function of the skin barrier.

But there is no strong evidence that menopause in itself causes the development of a sun allergy.

Sometimes skin that has become drier or more sensitive reacts more easily to heat, sweat and skincare products, and we may interpret the reaction as a sun allergy.

Therefore, it is important to understand exactly what appears on the skin and when.

How can we distinguish between a sun allergy and a sunburn?

A sunburn usually manifests as redness, local heat and sometimes pain after excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

In contrast, light-sensitivity reactions may appear even after exposure that is not enough to cause a regular burn.

In some cases the central symptom is precisely itching, and not pain.

The reaction can include small bumps or a rash that repeats itself in the same areas.

But it is not always possible to distinguish between them by appearance alone.

And what if the rash appears only in spring?

This is an interesting phenomenon that characterizes some people with polymorphous light eruption.

After the winter months, in which the skin is exposed less to the sun, the first significant exposure in spring can trigger a reaction.

In some people the phenomenon weakens as the summer continues, after repeated exposures.

This process is sometimes called hardening or adaptation to light.

But it is important to me to emphasize: this does not mean we should tan on purpose to accustom the skin to the sun.

Unprotected exposure to UV radiation still causes cumulative damage to the skin and raises the risk of skin cancer.

Can medications cause new sensitivity to the sun?

Definitely, and this is one of the important reasons to check when a new reaction appears.

There are medications that can make the skin more sensitive to radiation.

Among the medications that may cause this are certain antibiotic medications, certain diuretics, anti-inflammatory medications and some of the medications used to treat acne.

Such reactions are called photosensitivity — sensitivity to light.

There are two main mechanisms:

Phototoxic reaction: a reaction in which a certain substance, after exposure to light, causes damage in the skin. It can look like a sunburn that is unusual in its severity.

Photoallergic reaction: a reaction in which the immune system participates in the response to a substance that changed following exposure to light. It may look like itchy eczema.

If you started using a new medication and sun sensitivity appeared, it is worth checking if there is a connection.

Do not stop a prescription medication on your own; consult the doctor or the pharmacist.

Can perfume also cause spots after exposure to the sun?

Yes.

Some fragrance substances and certain plant extracts can cause reactions in the skin when they are exposed to the sun's radiation.

One of the familiar examples is phytophotodermatitis — a reaction caused when certain plant substances come into contact with the skin and are then exposed to UVA radiation.

For example, contact with lime juice on the skin before exposure to the sun can cause redness, blisters and sometimes brown spots that remain for a long time.

Some citrus oils too, especially cold-pressed oils that are not treated to remove phototoxic substances, may increase sensitivity to light.

This is one of the reasons it is important to check well which essential oils are suitable for use on the skin before exposure to the sun.

Can skincare products make the skin more sensitive to the sun?

Some of them definitely can affect the skin's reaction to the sun.

For example, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), used for chemical peeling, may increase the skin's sensitivity to UV radiation.

Cosmetic treatments that remove superficial layers of the skin may also leave it temporarily more sensitive.

Retinoids can cause dryness and irritation, and therefore it is especially important to protect the skin during their use, although their effect on sensitivity to UV radiation is not identical to that of AHA acids.

If a new rash appears after using a product, it is worth also considering the possibility of contact dermatitis, and not assuming it is a sun allergy.

And what about solar urticaria?

There is a rarer condition called solar urticaria — Solar Urticaria.

In this case raised and itchy lesions appear, resembling hives, within minutes of exposure to light.

Sometimes they disappear within hours after the exposure stops.

This reaction differs from polymorphous light eruption, which usually appears later.

In rare cases an extensive reaction can be accompanied by dizziness or general symptoms.

If shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue or a feeling of fainting appear after exposure to the sun, turn to urgent medical help.

How can we protect skin that reacts to the sun?

The first thing is to understand what causes the reaction.

Meanwhile, there are a few steps that can help:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and above, which protects against UVA and UVB radiation.
• Wear clothes that cover the sensitive areas, especially during prolonged exposure.
• Prefer shade at the hours when radiation is strong.
• Check new medications and skincare products if the sensitivity appeared after starting to use them.
• Avoid applying phototoxic essential oils before exposure to the sun.
• Calm irritated skin with a cool compress and a gentle moisturizer, as long as there is no significant reaction requiring medical treatment.

Can a sun allergy be treated?

The treatment depends on the type of reaction.

In some cases a dermatologist may recommend topical anti-inflammatory preparations to relieve a rash.

In certain conditions antihistamines are used, especially when it is urticaria.

When the reactions are recurrent and significant, there are also controlled medical treatments, including phototherapy in suitable cases.

But light treatment is not similar to independent exposure to the sun or tanning beds. It is carried out in an adapted medical protocol and under supervision.

When should we turn to a dermatologist?

If a recurrent rash appears after exposure to the sun, especially if it is new, significant or accompanied by blisters, it is worth turning for an examination.

It is especially important to be examined if there are also joint pains, unusual fatigue, fever or additional symptoms, because sometimes sensitivity to light can be connected to certain inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

A dermatologist can assess the rash's form, the timing of its appearance and the connection to medications and products, and sometimes recommend additional tests.

And to finish — our relationship with the sun can also change

I think one of the interesting things about our body is that even things that were familiar to us for years can suddenly change.

The sun that was a natural part of our day can trigger a reaction we did not know before.

This does not mean we need to stop enjoying the light, the sea or the trips outdoors.

But it is worth listening to the skin when it starts reacting differently.

Sometimes the reason is a new medication, sometimes a skincare product, and sometimes a light-sensitivity condition we did not know existed.

Our skin changes over the years, and the way it reacts to the sun can also change. The better we understand the reason, the more we will be able to continue enjoying the sun in a smarter and safer way.

Skin & Wellness Magazine | OrOrgani

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