Allergy to the sun: how to manifest itself and what to do

Allergy to the sun - it's allergic photodermatosis or photo allergy. The name of the disease comes from two Greek words - phōtos, derma, that is, light, skin, and includes a fairly large group of dermatological problems caused by exposure to sunlight. Rashes and itching, caused by sunlight, it is more correct to call not an allergy, but a false allergic reaction, as antibodies in serum are not formed.

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What can provoke an allergy in the sun?

The reasons for the development of an allergy to the sun are diverse. It is believed that provoking factors can be: 

• Diseases of the liver and gallbladder.
• Gastrointestinal pathologies, enzymatic insufficiency.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Pathologies of the thyroid gland.
• Violation of pigment (porphyrin) metabolism.
• Parasitic infection, helminthic invasion.
• Avitaminosis, especially, lack of vitamins A, PP and E.
• Uncontrolled use of medicines.
• General allergic predisposition, including hereditary.

Phototoxic drugs that can cause allergy in the sun: 

• The entire tetracycline group.
• Cytotoxic drugs.
• Corticosteroids.
• Sugar reduction drugs.
• Sleeping drugs and barbiturates.
• Oral contraceptives.
• Cardiopreparations.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Sulfonamides.
• Retinols.
• Salicylates.
• Neuroleptics.
• Antifungal drugs.
• Fluoroquinolones.
• Diuretics.
• Antiarrhythmic drugs.
• Vitamins B2, B6.
• Aspirin.

Plants, fruits, fruits, which include furokumariny. Allergy to the sun can be triggered by such plant sensitizers:

• Quinoa.
• Buckwheat.
• Nettle.
• Buttercups.
• Figs.
• Borshevik.
• St. John's Wort.
• Clover.
• Crayfish.
• Donnik.
• Angelica.
• Sedge.
• Rowan.
• Nuts.
• Orange.
• Lemon.
• Grapefruit.
• Caraway.
• Dill.
• Cinnamon.
• Bergamot.
• Mandarin.
• Sorrel.
• Parsley.
• Cocoa.

The mechanism of allergy development in the sun

Sunlight in principle can not be an allergen, but it can provoke several types of aggressive reactions not only of the immune system, but of the whole organism: 

• Phototractic reaction - an elementary sunburn from too "zealous" sunburn.
• Phototoxic reaction - photodermatosis, caused by the interaction of ultraviolet radiation and certain types of medicines, plants.
• Photoallergy or allergy to the sun - photosensitivity.

All kinds of reactions are manifested by varying degrees of skin pigmentation, in addition, people who have a tendency to allergies, even seemingly safe, a half-hour stay in the sun can cause severe allergies.

An allergy to the sun can be triggered by photosensitizers, many plant components, food, medicinal substances refer to them. Photosensitizers increase the sensitivity of skin to ultraviolet radiation, activate internal "protest" mechanisms, including aggressive response of the immune system. Typical for the classic allergy, itching and rash, with false allergies are formed as a consequence of the formation within the body of biologically active substances - acetylcholine, histamine.

Photosensitizers in turn differentiated by the speed of action - optional and obligate. 

1. Facultative provoke photosensitivity of the dermis very rarely, only in exceptional cases with intense exposure to sunlight and in the presence of allergic readiness. Optional substances, as a rule, provoke an allergic reaction. 
2. Obligatory - activate the photosensitivity of the skin always, sometimes after almost 10-15 minutes or several hours later. Obligatory sensitizers cause a phototoxic reaction.

In addition to acute symptoms in the form of sunburn or photodermatitis, an allergy to the sun can exacerbate eczema, herpes, acne and even psoriasis. There are photosensitizers that can accelerate the wilting of dermal integuments and contribute to the development of cancer (skin cancer, melanoma).

Symptoms of sun allergy

Allergy to the sun is most often manifested by photodermatoses, that is, dermal symptoms. Photodermatoses can look like all known burn after sunburn, photophytodermatitis, phototoxic reaction, light eczema, pruritus, solar urticaria.

Types of photodermatoses: 

• Sunburn, combined with allergic manifestations. This is an acute phototraumatic reaction, which is manifested by inflammation of the skin and in the last 20 years more often provokes melanoma (skin cancer). 
• Chronic irradiation with ultraviolet causes geradermia, which does not look like a classic allergy, but the processes occurring inside the body are very similar to the typical immune response to an allergen invasion. Photographic aging can lead to hyperpigmentation, decreased skin turgor, increased sensitivity and small internal rashes (hemorrhages). 
• Contact with plants that are phototoxic can also provoke photodermatosis, more precisely "meadow" photodermatitis. Such plant sensitizers include all plants containing salicylates and coumarins. 
• Solar eczema and solar plaque are typical manifestations with which the allergy to the sun is "famous". 
• The allergy can be manifested in the form of polymorphic dermatosis, that is, a light-dependent rash.

It is necessary to distinguish between photodermatitis and photodermatosis. This is quite easy, just remember that the end of "it" is a quick, fast-evolving symptom, and the end of "oz" means a longer process.

Photodermatitis, which is considered toxic, is characterized by eruptions in the sun's exposed areas of the body: blisters appear there, which then burst, and the skin in these areas is pigmented.

Photodermatosis toxic is characterized by peeling, sagging skin. It becomes flabby, dry, there are telangiectasias (blood vessels burst), then hyperpigmentation develops.

Photophytodermatitis is a significant reddening of the skin, the appearance of blisters of irregular shape, the whole body begins to itch, itch. Hyperpigmentation is not localized, it resembles vague patterns.

Typical photoallergic dermatitis looks like a rash, sometimes like a scattering of small bubbles, the body itches, itches. Pigmentation is extremely rare, and solar erythema is almost always. Also, an allergy to the sun can manifest as confluent blisters that are localized on the face. Then the rash gradually spreads to the neck and down all over the body. Often skin manifestations are accompanied by fever, headache, cheilitis (inflammation of the border of the lips), conjunctivitis.

Wet blisters with exudate, combined with swelling of skin areas, indicate solar eczema.

What if the allergy to the sun is acute?

The first thing to do is to get out of the sunlight. Further it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor to avoid all sorts of complications. If an allergy to the sun caught a person in a place where there is no way to get medical help quickly, you can take the following actions on your own: 

• As much as possible, moisten the affected skin with the juice of a cucumber or watermelon.
• Apply to the skin cabbage juice mixed with whipped egg whites.
• Lubricate the blisters with a mixture of honey and water.
• Dilute with water apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1/1 and lubricate the solution with damaged skin.
• Make compresses of strong black tea (chilled).
• Lubricate the affected skin with a decoction of marigold or alternating streaks.
• Apply methyluracil ointment to the inflamed skin areas or lubricate them with a solution of furacilin.
• Take a tablet of niacin (nicotinic acid), preferably after a meal.

Of course, the best way to treat an allergy in the sun is a reasonable attitude towards ultraviolet radiation. Even if you did not have any allergic signs on the sun's rays, it is better not to provoke your body, because it is common knowledge that solar activity is increasing every year more and more.