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Suggest Treatment For Rashes Due To Sunlight Allergy
Question: My wife is allergic to sunlight whenever she has an exposure to sunlight even after applying sunscreen lotion. Skin rashes start forming on her exposed parts like lower arms, neck, face etc. This is itching as well as a redness
Brief Answer:
Need more information and another clearer Image
Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us.
I am Dr. Kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Perhaps she has urticaria.
I would like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better.
Once formed, how long do these rashes last? do they last only as long as she is in the sun? or do these rashes persist for many days?
Unfortunately the image you have uploaded is not very clear. I request you to kindly upload another image that is of good quality.
Regards
Need more information and another clearer Image
Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us.
I am Dr. Kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Perhaps she has urticaria.
I would like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better.
Once formed, how long do these rashes last? do they last only as long as she is in the sun? or do these rashes persist for many days?
Unfortunately the image you have uploaded is not very clear. I request you to kindly upload another image that is of good quality.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
After every exposure these rashes will last upto two or three weeks, she applies an ointment called Elica and it reduces to some extent. Now it has reduced. How can we prevent this from happening again?
Brief Answer:
Polymorphic Light Eruption
Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
She has allergy to sunlight, either UVA or UVB or both. The eruption, also known as Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE) is usually localized to the sun exposed sites like outer arms, outer upper arms, face and V area of neck.
I suggest her to use a broad spectrum sunscreen , throughout the day e.g Suncros soft sunscreen (SPF 50). Reapply every 2-3 hours, specially outdoors.
In addition for the rash I suggest her to apply a potent topical steroid cream e.g Tenovate cream, at night.
She may also take a tablet of cetrizine 10mg once daily in evening for symptomatic relief from itching..
PMLE is most common during certain times like the start of spring and summer months every year, when the sun is strong. Later the eruption usually does'nt happen for the rest of the XXXXXXX season due to a phenomenon known as "Hardening" implying that "the skin gets used to the sun", put in simple terms.
If recurrences are a problem and if she has multiple and frequent recurrences throughout the XXXXXXX season then she may take oral hydroxychloroquin 200mg tablet as prophylaxis before the start of precipitating season.
I suggest you to talk to your dermatologist for discussion regarding the need for prophylactic treatment.
Regards
Polymorphic Light Eruption
Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
She has allergy to sunlight, either UVA or UVB or both. The eruption, also known as Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE) is usually localized to the sun exposed sites like outer arms, outer upper arms, face and V area of neck.
I suggest her to use a broad spectrum sunscreen , throughout the day e.g Suncros soft sunscreen (SPF 50). Reapply every 2-3 hours, specially outdoors.
In addition for the rash I suggest her to apply a potent topical steroid cream e.g Tenovate cream, at night.
She may also take a tablet of cetrizine 10mg once daily in evening for symptomatic relief from itching..
PMLE is most common during certain times like the start of spring and summer months every year, when the sun is strong. Later the eruption usually does'nt happen for the rest of the XXXXXXX season due to a phenomenon known as "Hardening" implying that "the skin gets used to the sun", put in simple terms.
If recurrences are a problem and if she has multiple and frequent recurrences throughout the XXXXXXX season then she may take oral hydroxychloroquin 200mg tablet as prophylaxis before the start of precipitating season.
I suggest you to talk to your dermatologist for discussion regarding the need for prophylactic treatment.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor for your valuable advice
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
thank you for writing to us.
Regards
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
thank you for writing to us.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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