What is sun allergy?
Sun allergy or photosensitivity is a reaction of the immune system to sunlight. The sun-exposed parts of the skin like the V of the neck, back of the hands, the outer surface of the arms and the lower legs erupt into a red, itchy rash. Severe sun allergy may cause hives or small blisters that may even spread to skin in clothed areas. The reason for sun allergy has not yet been found. Some scientists attribute it to changes in the skin after exposure to sunrays. The immune system reacts to these changes in the skin by activating immune defenses against them. A few of the most common types of sun allergy are: • PolyMorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) • Actinic prurigo (hereditary PMLE) • Photo allergic eruption • Solar urticaria How can sun allergy be treated? If you have a sun allergy, your treatment should always start with prevention strategies before going out in the sun, like: • Applying a sunscreen lotion that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above, with a broad spectrum of pr
