Allergy is a malfunction of the immune system, which means that various physical abnormal reactions appear due to certain substances. It occurs in various forms depending on the causative agent of allergy and various environmental factors. Sun allergy is a type of allergy, and it refers to a reaction that occurs when allergic immune cells of the skin are activated after exposure to sunlight. It is divided into a phototoxic reaction, which responds quickly by exposure to sunlight, and a photoallergic reaction, which occurs 24 to 48 hours after exposure to sunlight. There are many. The cause of sun allergy is not clearly known. It is said that sunlight is the factor that has the greatest influence on the occurrence, and genetic factors can also be the cause. In addition, skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and a decrease in immune function are known to cause the occurrence, and some antibiotics and ingredients included in painkillers and chemicals included in perfumes and disinfectants are also factors that affect the occurrence. Now, let’s take a look at the main symptoms of sun allergy, as well as various information related to treatment and prevention.
The main symptoms of sun allergy
The main symptoms of sun allergy are redness around the skin, swelling of the skin, and pain accompanied by itching. If the symptoms are more severe, symptoms such as peeling of the skin, blisters, bleeding, and scabs may also occur. In addition, these symptoms appear differently depending on the body part, and they usually occur in the parts that are often exposed to sunlight, such as the neck, back of hands, outer arm, and legs. And it is known that if you suddenly see a lot of sunlight in an area with low exposure, symptoms may appear severe, and if the symptoms continue for a long time, it is known that it may also occur in areas covered by sunlight.
If the symptoms are not severe, sun allergy can be improved without treatment by simply avoiding sunlight. However, when it occurs continuously, it is accompanied by severe difficulties in daily life due to acute related symptoms, and it can also lead to permanent skin damage by inducing repeated dermatitis. In addition, since these symptoms lead to restrictions on social and outdoor activities, psychological atrophy and depression and anxiety are amplified, increasing the likelihood of suffering from problems such as depression and social phobia. Therefore, if the symptoms are getting worse and related symptoms occur even in areas not exposed to sunlight, it is recommended to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a specialist.
Sun allergy treatment and prevention
1. Examination and treatment
In order to diagnose sun allergy, a diagnostic method is performed to check the skin condition with the naked eye, and at the same time, a UV test to check the reaction according to the wavelength of a specific ultraviolet light using an inspection lamp, and a patch to determine whether the reaction is caused by a photosensitive substance inspections, etc. will be performed. And according to the diagnosis result, if the symptoms are not severe, just avoiding exposure to sunlight for a few days will provide relief from the symptoms. However, if the symptoms are severe and the symptoms do not improve just by avoiding sunlight, various treatment methods such as applying steroid creams, prescribing antihistamines, and taking medications are performed. And if necessary, phototherapy using a special lamp can be considered and performed.
2. Minimize UV exposure
When symptoms of sun allergy appear, it is important to minimize exposure to UV rays. It is recommended to avoid going out on days when the sun is strong and the UV index is high. In particular, it is recommended to avoid as much as possible between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sunlight is strongest. If it is unavoidable to go out, it is recommended to wear sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, or long-sleeved clothes. And as many symptoms occur due to exposure to the sun’s intense spring and summer, gradually increasing the time of outdoor activities so that skin cells can adapt to the sun is also an important management habit in preventing sun allergy.
3. Use sunscreen
It is also very important to apply sunscreen when outdoor activities are unavoidable. For daily life, SPF 15 is sufficient, but if you need to be outdoors for a long time, products with SPF 30 or higher are known to be effective. When applying sunscreen, it is recommended to apply it 20-30 minutes before outdoor activities, and apply another layer 2-3 hours after application.
It is also recommended to pay close attention to moisturizing the skin to relieve flaky and dry skin. It is important to apply a moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated, and after going out when the sunlight is strong, it is important to take a shower with lukewarm or cool water to lower the core temperature and lower the heat of the skin. It is also important to drink 7 to 8 glasses of water to maintain sufficient moisture in the body and control the temperature. In addition, sun allergy can also be caused by some components of various drugs such as antibiotics, diuretics, and anticancer drugs. Therefore, if you are taking any medications, you should check with a dermatologist to see if you are hypersensitive to sunlight, and if it is a medication that is the cause of the occurrence, it is important to consider changing the medication after consulting with your doctor. .
