If you've ever been jealous of someone's glorious tan, it may be hard to believe that sunlight can be so unhealthy. Yet we've all heard the statistics: overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and premature aging; therefore it is highly advisable that everyone takes precautions to protect themselves, their children, and even their pets. For those with an allergy to sunlight, however, spending even one hour in the sun can have very uncomfortable-even painful-- consequences.
When someone has this type of allergy, the sun's ultraviolet radiation triggers changes in their skin cells. Their immune system then mistakenly identifies the proteins in their skins as the enemy. Antibodies rush to attack these cells, which results in a rash and/or other symptoms. While most people experience these symptoms during the spring and summer months, some have a reaction even during the winter. Those with the most severe form of sun allergy may have a breakout when their skin is exposed to indoor lighting.
The most common symptom of sun allergy is an itchy red rash; however, those with more severe conditions may break out in hives or blisters. There are also several different types of sun allergies-the most common being polymorphic light eruption (PMLE). Symptoms of PMLE usually appear within a few minutes to several hours after exposure and include tiny, blister-like bumps. They are extremely itchy and often painful. This type of allergy usually occurs during the spring and summer.
Other types of sun allergy include actinic prurigo, chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), and solar urticaria--each with its own particular characteristics. Actinic prurigo usually affects children and young adults; the symptoms of chronic actinic dermatitis are similar to those caused by direct contact with an allergy-causing substance, and solar urticaria can affect even areas covered by clothing.
Contrary to popular belief, anyone -not only the fair-skinned-can have a sun allergy. Risk factors include race, sex, age, and having a relative with a sun allergy. In addition, people taking certain medications or those with autoimmune diseases such as lupus can experience photosensitivity, the symptoms of which can mimic sun allergy.
Traditional healthcare providers prescribe medication and avoidance of the sun, but this can limit your time outside, particularly if--like me--you like traveling to tropical places. In my work as a holistic health practitioner, I've helped to cure people of their allergy to sunlight and its close relative, radiation. My goal is to neutralize the effects of this radiation so that those with such an allergy can spend a day at the beach without worrying about developing skin cancer. I have even treated people who have reactions to the radiation from their computers and medical equipment (X-Rays/MRIs/CT scans)!
From Reuters Health, June 13, 2012, stated, "Use of diagnostic imaging in the United States has doubled since the mid-1990s, raising fears that radiation exposure from technologies such as computed tomography (CT) scans may raise a person's lifetime cancer risk."
When seeking treatment, it is important to give your doctor all the details of your condition, including when the rash appeared, the level of discomfort it caused, and how long it lasted. This will help him or her distinguishes one type of allergy from another. As with so many medical conditions, prevention is often the key: this means wearing protective clothing, discontinuing products that exacerbate your symptoms, and wearing sunscreens of at least 35 SPF whenever you go out in the sun. Eating fruits rich in antioxidants will also help with outbreaks.
And consider seeking holistic care to eliminate your reaction to sun radiation.
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