With the golden rays of summer beckoning, the change in weather is prompting everyone young and old to go out and enjoy the beach, shopping or outdoor athletics, however; not everyone can be so carefree. You may laugh when you hear about people being allergic to the sun, but this strange phenomenon has a name: photosensitivity. If you are allergic to sunlight, be prepared and know how to treat your skin the right way when the temperature starts to rise.

What is it?

Photosensitivity is an allergy to sun light — especially excessive exposure — which can cause a multitude of rashes on the skin, with the severity of the rash varying from person to person. According to The Merck Manual online medical dictionary, there are three main types of photosensitivity:

• Solar Urticaria comes on quickly, sometimes after as little as ten minutes in the sun, but luckily, symptoms disappear within a few hours. Physical symptoms appear as hives covering the exposed areas. The person can also feel nauseous, dizzy and have a headache. Sometimes, people with this condition continue to develop these symptoms indefinitely for many years.
• Chemical Photosensitivity is a reaction that occurs because of either oral or topical medications that cause UV sensitivity. This condition appears as inflammation and redness, or sometimes even brown or blue discoloration. When this condition occurs along with itchiness and hives, it might indicate a drug allergy, brought on by exposure to sunlight.
• Polymorphous Light Eruption usually occurs among women or people who are only seldom exposed to the sun, although the actual cause is not yet understood. With this condition, sunlight causes red patches and small red bumps to appear anywhere between a half hour to several hours after being exposed to the sun. Although new patches can continue to occur for several days, generally all symptoms clear-up within a week. Oftentimes, these people will eventually become less sensitive to the sun.

Although sufferers can be sensitive to both UVA and UVB rays, UVA rays (longer wavelength rays that cause the skin to age) are the most likely to cause sensitivity. To determine which type of light is the culprit, doctor administered tests can be extremely helpful. By exposing the skin to artificial light or applying adhesive patches containing potentially allergic substances to the upper back, then checking for a reaction after a couple of days, doctors can narrow down the potential irritants.

How do you get it?

Skin care professionals aren't quite sure why some people are more photosensitive than others, but several pre-existing conditions may sometimes lead to photosensitivity, diseases such as Lupus or conditions like rosacea or psoriasis. Genetic disorders or imbalances in the body can also lead to photosensitivity, as can certain medications. To be absolutely certain, always consult with a doctor to determine exactly what may be causing photosensitive reactions.

Check your medications.

Many prescription medications and herbs can cause the skin to become more sensitive to UV light, which should be indicated on the prescription drug label. To minimize the risk of developing photosensitivity, follow all usage directions carefully and always protect exposed skin from sun exposure. Medications such as antibiotics, oral contraceptives, diuretics, antidepressants, anti-fungals and medicines used to treat diabetes have all been suspected of increasing sun sensitivity. Photosensitivity has also been known to occur in individuals taking anti-inflammatory medications, sulfa drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort. Herbs and essential oils used for aromatherapy can also cause photosensitivity, so check the ingredients of all massage oils before treatment. The following oils can be potential culprits: cumin, ginger, angelica root, bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin, orange, lemon and lime.

Treatment:

Whether the cause of sensitivity is a genetic predisposition or a new medication, prevention is crucial; avoid UV rays as much as possible. During the summer, you should try to avoid being outside when the sun's rays are strongest — usually between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. If you have to be outside, wear clothing that doesn't allow sunlight to pass through the fabric, such as tightly woven materials and dark colors or look for clothing that has been treated with SPF protection.

Even more important, if you are photosensitive, to simply stay out of direct sunlight is not enough prevention. Sunscreen must be worn on a daily basis, even on days when you aren't planning to be basking in the sun; UV rays can pass through windows and clothing, and reactions can occur even while sitting in the shade. However, not all sunscreens are created equal. Certain people with photosensitivity may experience an allergic reaction to particular types of sunscreens. Search for a formula that is hypoallergenic and free from chemicals such as PABA, benzophenone or butyl methoxy dibenzoylmethane. Instead, use a full-spectrum, physical sunblock that contains zinc or titanium oxide which will offer complete protection against both forms of UV rays. If you prefer a chemical sunscreen, opt for a waterproof formula with at least an SPF 30 and reapply throughout the day if you're outside for extended periods of time or when engaging in activities like swimming or any type of sport.

Product Picks:

Once the skin has reacted to the sun, at-home treatments such as cooling baths or soothing lotions can be helpful. Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel can be applied as often as necessary to cool inflamed skin.

Protect the skin year-round from UV rays with SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30, a transparent formula that contains zinc and titanium dioxide that is safe for sensitive skin and children. To boost the efficacy of your sunscreen, consider an oral supplement made with pomegranate such as Murad Pomphenol Sunguard Dietary Supplement, which contains pomegranate extract, rich in Ellagic acid, to prevent free-radical damage.

Special considerations:

Exposure to UV light from fluorescent lamps or tanning beds can also cause photosensitivity. If tan skin is a must, try to find a tanning bed that uses tungsten bulbs, rather than fluorescent, or better yet: invest in a high-quality self-tanning lotion, which will minimize the risk of light exposure altogether. To protect the skin when driving, consider having car windows tinted to block UV light, which will offer an added layer of protection.

Take a few extra steps and be mindful of all sun exposure to protect the skin from developing photosensitivity and stay properly protected under the sun.

See also:

The Sun's Hidden Impact

The Ultimate Guide to a Natural-Looking Sunless Tan

Is Your Sunscreen Safe?