Sun allergy

Sun allergy, also known as polymorphic light eruption (PLE), occurs on the skin in response to UV radiation exposure from the sun. Sun allergy is often accompanied by red rashes, itching, swelling, bumps and blisters on sun-exposed skin, such as face, neck, neck, décolleté and arms or legs. The skin spots may appear up to a maximum of five days after exposure and heal on their own after about a week. It can occur suddenly at any age with no previous history. This skin condition does not only occur in summer and it is usually noticed in spring when the skin has had little sun.

The cause of sun allergy comes from UVA and UVB radiation from the sun and causes an allergic reaction in the skin. It is not known exactly why this is caused. Possibly the immune system, heredity, medications or skin products play a role. Often, people with a light skin type are more likely to suffer from sun allergy than those with a darker complexion.

Sun allergy and sunburn

Sun allergy and sunburn have symptoms that are very similar. There are some differences to recognise which of the two causes a skin reaction. Sun allergy can occur suddenly at any age after light exposure to sunlight, and the itching and skin reaction usually come several hours to days later. In a sunburn, the skin has been overexposed to sunlight and is underprotected from the amount of UV radiation, causing redness, pain, swelling and sometimes even fever or blisters. The skin may also flake and peel after a few days.

What can you do against sun allergy?

• Avoid the sun: Especially between 11am and 4pm, as this is when the sun is strongest.
• Use sunscreen with factor 30 or factor 50 and repeat the application after 2 hours, regardless of whether you move around a lot or not. Use a thick layer of sunscreen.
• Protect your skin with long sleeves, trousers, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
• Snow and sand reflect sunlight. Wet skin also reacts faster to sunlight.

Example photo of sun allergy