While most people look forward to the long sunny days of summer, with trips to the beach, outdoor swimming pool or simply gardening at home, others will be less keen to get outside, particularly those affected by polymorphic light eruption or sun allergy. Those with very pale skin are also at a high risk of sunburn, which in turn increases the chances of suffering from skin cancer.
Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE) – Sun Allergy Symptoms
Sun allergy, otherwise known as polymorphic light eruption (PLE), is identified as being more prevalent in young women and is believed to affect as much as 20% of the general population. In The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements, Brewer (2010) highlights symptoms associated with sun allergy, to include the following:
- itching
- raised, red rash
- blisters
- scaly plaques
Symptoms relating to sun allergy or PLE, such as the development of scaly plaques, will typically appear within just a few hours of sun exposure. Therefore, it is very important for those affected by sun allergy to take various safety measures in order to reduce the likelihood of ending up suffering from unpleasant symptoms.
Treatment for Sun Allergy
As prevention is always better than cure, the best way to avoid suffering from sun allergy symptoms is to avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Covering up in loose-fitted clothing will help protect skin from both skin allergy symptoms and sunburn, thus also reducing the risk of one ending up with skin cancer. Further treatment for sun allergy, as identified by Brewer (2010), is as follows:
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (which filter out UVA, UVB).
- Avoid sun exposure when sunlight strongest (10 am until 4 pm).
- Take antioxidant supplements.
- Eat foods that are high in selenium or take a selenium supplement.
- Eat carotenoids.
- Use aloe vera gel.
Applying aloe vera gel to a skin rash associated with sun allergy will provide a soothing effect on the skin and is available from most pharmacies. For children affected with sun allergy, it is best to spend time outside in the early morning or after 4pm during the summertime. This will reduce the likelihood of suffering irritating sun allergy symptoms and enable youngsters to still enjoy outdoor sports such as swimming or beach football.
As highlighted above, sun allergy, also known as polymorphic light eruption, predominantly affects young women, resulting in symptoms such as blisters, rash and scaly plaques. While aloe vera gel will help soothe these symptoms, prevention methods include wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, which filters out both UVA and UVB rays.
Source:
Brewer, S. (2010) The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements London: Constable Robinson
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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