Brief Answer:
Acute photo-allergy to sunlight

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the rash and small raised blisters on both of forearms.

After reading your problem and analyzing the pictures with diligence I can make out the best possibility of "Acute photo-allergy to sunlight" or in simple words allergy from the exposure of the sunlight.

To explain you elaborately about the condition - There are 6 grades of skin in all of us. From grade 1 to grade 6. The grade 1 is fairest of all and grade 6 darkest. The fair skin people have the highest tendency for skin burns due to sunlight where as the towards darker (4 and above) side it is the tendency to get tanned easily.

As I can see in the picture that you are fair colored lady of skin type around 2-3 therefore you have the tendency for skin burns after exposure to sunlight. Due to exposure to initial redness and itching with mild pain sensation. After a prolonged exposure it can form the blisters which you are experiencing. As we scratch it or due to exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight, sweating dust and hot humid climate, it can get aggravated.

If you can see this is typically present on the extensor surface of forearms which are actually most exposed areas. You will not find it on inner forearms or any covered areas.

For the betterment kindly follow the suggestions below:

1. Strictly avoid direct sunlight and hot – humid climate.

2. Wear full sleeves cotton clothes and avoid synthetic clothes.

3. Stay in cool environment(preferably AC) and avoid sweating.

4. Take two time bath once in morning and at night time which will soothe your skin and prevent the aggravation of the problem

5. Do not Pinch pop or squeeze or rub any area.

6. Do not use any deodorants or any cosmetics over and near the affected area.

7. Do cold compression over the affected area. Take a wet towel soaked in cold water and apply it for 5-10 minutes for 3-4 times a day.

IN your skin of problem I suggest my patient to follow the suggestions as below:

1. Apply over the counter available calamine lotion on the affected area in day and afternoon time. Apply it in very thin layer.

2. Apply plane Mometasone or cortisone or fluticasone cream in a thin layer in morning and at night time. Apply in a very thin layer so that it should not be visible to naked eye. Apply it for 7 days and then stop it after that.

3. If there is any irritation or itching is present then can take tablet “Loratadine” or "Deslotatadine" tablet by mouth up to three to four times also if the itching is more.

If the things are not getting better in 48 hours then you may require a short course of oral steroids under medical supervision.


I reassure you again that it is a quite simple problem which we see in our day to day practice and persist for only the time till the aggravating factor is present. So the most important part in your management is avoidance of the aggravating factor enumerated all above.

I hope these information's will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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