Summer is an excellent time for vacations, for long stays in country houses, for travel, trips to the sea, exotic countries. Swim and sunbathe in the sun, enjoy sea ​​water and warm up in the sun - what could be better?

However, in recent years Cases of hypersensitivity to the sun's rays are becoming more frequent in many people. This is an allergy to the sun, the symptoms of which appear either lightning fast - after 20-30 seconds, or a few hours, or 2-3 days after sunbathing. In medicine, such an inadequate reaction of the body to excessive radiation is called photodermatosis or phototoxic reaction.

Types of sun allergies

Impact sun rays cause various unnatural reactions in humans, which are called photosensitivity:

• Phototraumatic reactions

this is a normal reaction of the body after a very long exposure to the sun, even in an absolutely healthy person after many hours of intense ultraviolet irradiation Sunburn may occur. We will not dwell on this option, since everyone knows that you should not sunbathe long time, especially from 11-00 to 16-00 hours.

• Phototoxic reactions

can also appear in any person in the form of a sunburn - swelling, blisters, erythema. It is most often caused by oral or injection use some medicines, herbs, products containing photosensitizers.

• Photoallergic reactions

This pathological process, which occurs only in people whose body, for some reason, rejects UV rays and their skin and mucous membranes react to the sun's rays as hostile, foreign, toxic external influence. This is explained by immune disorders and a similar reaction manifests itself as papules, oozing, vesicles and lichenification of the skin ov (a rash with an enhanced pattern, which is accompanied by a sharp thickening of the skin and a violation of pigmentation, while the skin becomes rough and furrowed).

People at risk for developing sun allergies include:

• Persons with diseases of the endocrine system
• Persons with liver and kidney diseases
• Persons with various disorders immune system

How does sun allergy manifest? Symptoms

Signs of an allergy to the sun can be diverse and vary depending on the reasons that caused it, on the age of the adult or child, on the provoking internal or external factor. Most often symptoms sun allergy are manifested by the following violations:

• Redness, rash, itching, blistering of areas of skin exposed to sunlight.
• An allergy to the sun on the hands, face, legs, and chest manifests itself as rough, small uneven skin that hurts, itches, and sometimes merges into swollen, reddened lesions.
• Sometimes crusts, scales, and bleeding appear.
• Most often, skin allergies from the sun appear in the form of hives, eczema or blisters.
• Signs and symptoms of sun allergy appear not only in places where there has been active sun exposure; if an allergic reaction occurs in the form of eczema, it can also occur in places far from the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

The physically strong healthy body There should be no sun allergy. Therefore, allergy to the sun occurs especially often in infants, in children who are not strong enough after an illness, in the elderly and people with many chronic diseases.

Causes of sun allergies

People with the first skin phototype, also called Celtic, are most often susceptible to sun allergies. The skin of such people practically does not tan at all, but allergic reactions to ultraviolet radiation occur quite often on it.

Special substances, photosensitizers or photoreactive agents, cause sun allergies, the symptoms of which depend on the intensity of exposure and the amount of these substances. In the human body exposed to natural or artificial ultraviolet radiation (sun tanning, solarium, UV lamps), these photosensitizers cause changes that manifest themselves in the form of sun allergies.

Phototoxic reactions can be caused by certain substances, to find out why such an allergy appeared, you should know where such provocative substances may be contained:

• In hygiene products- in antibacterial soap
• In cosmetics and perfumes- in most lotions, perfumes, colognes, deodorants, lipsticks. Most creams that contain nut oil essential oils all citrus fruits, caraway, dill, bergamot, musk, amber, patchouli, cinnamon tree bark.
• Sunscreens- a paradox, but it is precisely when applying sun protection that you can get a severe allergic reaction. If such products contain PABA - para-aminobenzoic acid and benzophenones.
• In some food additives - for example, in sweeteners.
• When applying tattoos- since it is used excipient cadmium sulfate, it can also cause photosensitivity.
• IN household chemicals- for example, in mothballs.
• In medicines- Moreover, even if some time has passed after stopping the medication, several weeks or months, an allergic reaction may occur after ultraviolet irradiation, since the substances accumulate in the human body and skin and are sometimes eliminated very slowly. There are cases where sensitivity to sunlight due to medications persists for several months or even years.

Gunther's disease - rare form photodermatosis is Gunther's disease or erythropoietic porphyria. Patients with this recessive mutation fully correspond to the classic descriptions of vampires: they are afraid of daylight and sunlight due to ulcers and cracks in the skin, gradually turning into deformations and cartilage, are quite pale, and have excessively thick eyebrows and eyelashes. In patients, tooth enamel and urine may be stained pink. Under ultraviolet light tooth enamel glows blood red. Today the disease is still not completely cured

Pellagra is rare disease also accompanied by photodermatosis. Pellagra ( rough skin) is a violation of absorption or insufficient intake of nicotinic acid (vitamin PP) into the body.

List of medications, plants and foods that cause sun allergy symptoms

The instructions for use of a very large number of different medications contain instructions about such a possible side effect as photosensitivity, and also that such an effect is extremely rare, approximately 1/10,000 cases. These medications include:

Oral contraceptives —
Antibiotics:

• Fluoroquinolones - ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, etc.
• Tetracyclines - doxycyline
• Macrolides - Sumamed, Macropen, etc.
• Co-trimoxazole - Biseptol, folic acid inhibitor
• Pipemidic acid - used for the treatment of cystitis, pyelonephritis (Palin)
• Antimycotics - especially Griseofulvin, and others

NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - and Piroxicam.
Antihistamines - Diphenhydramine and Promethazine.
Cardiac products, for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases:

• Fibrates - fibric acids,
• Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug. Cordarone also causes a bluish tan.
• Digitoxin is a cardiotonic drug
• Atorvastatins -

, - Doxipine, Melipramine, some sleeping pills.
Thiazide diuretics- diuretic Chlorothiazide and any others diuretics can also cause or intensify skin allergy to the sun and its symptoms.
Sugar-lowering drugs for treatment diabetes mellitus- Glibenclamide and Chlorpropamide.
Essential oils - bergamot oil, lime oil, St. John's wort, essential oils of almost all citrus fruits - lemon, tangerine, orange.
Corticosteroids- hormonal creams and ointments for long-term use.
Bornaya and salicylic acid , methylene blue, ointments containing tar.

Plants that cause sun allergies

Very often, when special substances come into contact with the skin - furocoumarins, which are found in meadow and other plants, and when sunlight hits these areas of the skin, an allergy to the sun occurs. The symptoms of photodermatitis in this case are as follows:

• Appearance of rashes and blisters
• Skin redness
• Severe itching
• Pigmentation remains at the site of the affected skin for a long time.

Plants are exogenous photosensitizers that should be avoided summer time, include:

• , Buckwheat, Quinoa, Ash, Ranunculaceae, Hogweed, Fig tree.
• If taken orally medicinal herbs, then it is also possible to develop symptoms of an allergy to the sun: St. John's wort, Clover, Angelica, Sweet clover, Agrimony, Hogweed, Tribulus.
• Sedge and blue-green algae can also cause sun allergies because they contain chlorophyll and phycocyan.

Products with photoallergic effects

The following products have such a provocative effect:

• Before going out into the sun, do not cut, eat, or drink juices from these foods, as your hands and lips may suffer from an inadequate reaction of the body to the sun's rays: carrot juice, sweet pepper, figs, citrus juices, sorrel, parsley.
• Sensitivity to ultraviolet rays also increases: spicy foods, alcoholic drinks, especially wine and champagne, all products with an abundance of dyes, artificial additives and preservatives.
• An increased risk factor for the development of sun allergy symptoms exists in individuals who are already allergic to coffee, nuts, and chocolate.

Treatment of sun allergies

When an allergy to the sun appears - how to treat this strange reaction? First of all, you should find out the real reason appearance allergic reaction to ultraviolet. If these are medications, foods or herbs, then these medications or use of the products should be discontinued. If it is impossible to refuse to use the necessary medications, then it is better to avoid any contact of the skin with the sun; constant protection from ultraviolet radiation is needed.

• Creams and ointments

And if this is not associated with taking any medications, then you should find out possible internal malfunctions in the functioning of systems and organs, in immune system including. What remedies and medicines exist for the sun? What are there in the sun?

Creams and ointments with corticosteroids are very effective, but their use should only be for severe sun allergies; treatment with these drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor. The course of treatment with such serious ointments should be short, since they long-term use itself can cause various skin disorders, erythema, rosacea, dilation of blood vessels on the skin, and also addiction to them quickly develops and their frequent use can result in skin atrophy.

Among non-hormonal creams and ointments for allergies, you can use Fenistil gel, Desitin, Gistan, La-kri, Dexpanthenol, Panthenol, Radevit, Elidel, Protopic, Losterin, Vundehil, La-kri (for more details about these creams and ointments, see). Also a list of gels, creams, ointments in our article - Floceta, Psilo-balm, Solcoseryl, Vinilin, Karotolin, Livian, etc.

• Antihistamines

After comprehensive examination From a general practitioner, dermatologist, allergist-immunologist, and to determine the cause of the allergy, doctors may prescribe antihistamines. Depending on the cause of photodermatosis, these remedies help some people very well, while others do not help at all.

Among them you can try Claritin, Suprastin and Tavegil. such as Zodak are very effective for various allergic reactions, do not cause drowsiness and have a prolonged effect, they can be used for a long time.

• Vitamin therapy

One of the reasons for the appearance of allergies may be a decrease in immunity, a deficiency of vitamins, therefore vitamins such as vitamin C, group B, vitamin E, as well as nicotinic acid may become one of the components complex treatment allergies to the sun.

• Cleansing the body with enterosorbents and drinking plenty of fluids

You should cleanse the body of allergens and toxins as quickly as possible; for this you can use sorbents such as Polyphepan, Enterosgel. You should also drink as much as possible clean water per day, more than 2-2.5 liters, this will help the body quickly remove allergens from the body.

• Traditional methods

If it is not possible to urgently consult a doctor, then you can try to find among folk remedies those that may help alleviate skin inflammation at first are fresh juice cucumber, cabbage or potatoes. Potato and cabbage juice has amazing properties mitigation and fast healing wounds, skin lesions. An infusion of calendula or, which can be used to make cold compresses, also has a softening effect.

If pathological photosensitive reactions appear, the doctor should tell you how long after the reaction to the sun began, what the manifestations were, what the rash looked like and how you felt about it.

During the conversation, experts discussed the following questions:

— How do you understand that skin irritation is an allergy to the sun, and not something else?

— If you have never had skin manifestations, but are allergic to certain foods, is it possible to sunbathe in this case or will the sun’s rays provoke new allergy?

— What to take with you to the beach in case skin rashes?

— Are natural sun and solarium the same thing? If you are allergic to the sun, can you go to a solarium?

— How to choose cosmetics for the beach or is it better for allergy sufferers to do without it?

You can read the answers of one of the participants in the round table, an allergist at the Meditsina clinic, candidate of medical sciences Sergei Bykov, below.

Conference presenter: What is sun allergy?

S.A. Bykov: Visible light, ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation reach the earth from the sun. Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis and plant growth; it affects the psycho-emotional state of a person, the formation of vitamin D, and also prevents excessive colonization of the skin by pathogenic microbes. However, sunlight can cause various disorders.

Damage from sunlight is associated with its long-term exposure However, many people also react pathologically to normally tolerated intensity of sunlight, in particular UV irradiation.

Various parts of the ultraviolet spectrum can cause photodermatoses, photoaging of the skin and even skin cancer. Photodermatoses are skin lesions (dermatoses) caused by sunlight, mostly ultraviolet rays. Photodermatoses include: sunburn, solar urticaria, phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, etc.

Sunburn ( solar dermatitis), like solar dermatitis, is accompanied by redness and swelling of the skin, the appearance of vesicles and blisters. At early use Cooling compresses, lotion with glucocorticoids, anti-inflammatory and painkillers are useful.

Solar urticaria is characterized by the appearance of urticarial plaques (like nettles) within minutes of exposure to sunlight.

Chronic photodamage occurs when excessive exposure to UV radiation is the main cause of deterioration appearance(due to skin aging), as well as the development of skin cancer. The danger of UV radiation is associated with its accumulation over decades.

Phototoxic and photoallergic reactions are caused by drugs (for example, tetracycline antibiotics or sulfonamides) or cosmetics, increasing sensitivity to sunlight. Upon contact with plants that increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, photophytodermatitis (meadow dermatitis) develops. The lesions are often accompanied by swelling, itching, burning and headache.

Phototoxic reactions manifest as severe sunburn. With chronic phototoxic dermatosis, the epidermis thickens, the skin becomes dry and thick, and increased pigmentation occurs.

Photoallergic reactions occur as delayed-type hypersensitivity after previous contact with photoactive substances. In chronic radiation dermatitis, due to exposure to UV radiation, severe eczema develops that is resistant to therapy.

Conference presenter: Can an allergic person sunbathe? For example, if there were no skin manifestations, but there are allergies to certain products? Is it safe or could it trigger a new allergy?

S.A. Bykov: Allergy is a state of increased immune response of the body to substances of exogenous or endogenous origin, leading to the development of allergic diseases affecting both the skin ( atopic dermatitis, urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis, toxicerma, drug-induced skin lesions) and other tissues and organs (hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, drug, food, insect allergies, etc.). Naturally, against the background of such altered immunological reactivity, sunlight can complicate existing disorders and even provoke additional allergic reactions.

The skin can also become photosensitive through accidental contact with photocoumarins contained in plants and fruits (celery, dill, parsley, carrots, oranges, lemons).

Conference presenter: What to take with you to the beach in case of skin manifestations?

S.A. Bykov: To protect your skin from sun damage, such as sunburn, avoid exposure to sunlight, use umbrellas, wear appropriate clothing, and wear sunscreen (filters that block or reflect UV radiation). The safest sun in middle lane Russia in the morning from 9.00 to 12.00 hours, and in the evening - from 15.00 to 18.00 hours; in the south - from 8.00 to 11.00 and from 16.00 to 19.00 hours.

You should have clothes made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen) with long sleeves and trousers, and a wide-brimmed hat. Red or white clothes reflect ultraviolet light well. People prone to allergies are recommended to use sunscreens with physical filters containing zinc.

If, after exposure to the sun, itchy reddish rashes, blisters filled with clear liquid, you should hide from the sun as soon as possible. Reddened areas can be washed with clean cool water or wipe with a strained infusion of black tea, which contains tannin, which partially relieves itching and inflammation. Recommended drinking plenty of fluids, you can drink cool water. It is necessary to take an antihistamine appropriate to the age of the victim.

Conference presenter: Are natural sun and solarium the same thing?

S.A. Bykov: Yes, there are similar components and UV radiation. If you are allergic to the sun, you should not go to the solarium either. Photodermatosis can also develop due to excessive use of solariums.

Conference presenter: How do you understand that skin irritation is an allergy to the sun and not something else?

S.A. Bykov: It is possible to conduct a light test - the dose of ultraviolet radiation necessary for the burn to appear. Several areas of the skin are sequentially irradiated with ultraviolet light for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and a day later the resulting biodose is assessed. In addition, there are laboratory methods differential diagnosis.

Conference presenter: How to choose cosmetics for the beach, is it just chemicals?

S.A. Bykov: Of course, there should be a minimum of cosmetics on the beach. Cosmetics, like medicines, can, when interacting with UV radiation, provoke pathological reactions to the sun.

Allergy to the sun.

What to do if you have been diagnosed with photodermatosis, and you really want to bask in the southern sun, relax in a hot country and swim in the warm sea?

Photodermatosis - This is an allergy to the sun.

Reasons
Doctors believe that the sun itself does not cause allergies, because The allergen must contain complete protein.
Sunlight, especially active sun, is just a factor that provokes the accumulation of a large number of allergens in people suffering from diseases internal organs. Almost healthy people There is no such thing as an allergy to the sun. Therefore, you need to think about what is wrong with you.
Please pay special attention on the condition of the liver, adrenal glands, kidneys. Sun allergies can also occur during pregnancy.
Another reason is the intake of certain medicines. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfonamides, quinidine, griseofulvin, amiodarone, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines.

It is believed that an allergy to sunlight may also be associated with a disorder of pigment metabolism, hypo- and avitaminosis, endocrine disorders.

Symptoms
The first symptoms of photodermatosis develop a few hours after you leave the street. Solar eczema, or urticaria, appears: the skin itches, becomes covered small rashes, turns red, swelling of the skin and mucous membranes may develop. Solar urticaria is rare in adults and extremely rare in children. With delayed solar urticaria, the rash appears after 18-72 hours. In very sensitive patients, bronchospasm may develop, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness.

“Coming out” according to the rules
If you have a severe form of solar allergy, you should avoid the sun and use it outdoors. protective cream with a high protection factor.
Wear clothes from thick fabric , with long sleeves.
The main suffering during severe forms causes itching. And this symptom is difficult to deal with - more difficult than, for example, with pain, which can be relieved with the help medications.
If your allergy is mild, you can try to increase your sensitivity to light by exposing small areas of your skin to UV rays for short periods of time.
If you are taking medications, before going out into the sun, check to see if the drug contains a component that reacts to sunlight.
Before going out into the sun You cannot use deodorants, perfumes, or apply aromatic oils, especially bergamot and citrus.

Fear is the culprit!
Severe sun allergies are very rare. More often, photoallergy and, in connection with this, a reclusive lifestyle are more likely to be spoken of photophobia - fear of sunlight. And this is already psychological problem. From this we can conclude: than stronger man afraid of getting sick, the greater the chance that he will get sick. And if you really have reason to worry about your own health, then you shouldn’t hide from your illness in the house - it’s better to consult a doctor so as not to suffer from the unknown and not miss the chance for a cure.

Help after sun exposure...
Apply to affected areas of skin ointments containing lanolin, zinc, methyluracil.
Folk remedies that cool the skin well and relieve itching cabbage leaves, thin slices of raw cucumber or potatoes.
At severe lesions skin doctor may prescribe hormonal ointments .

Drugs that help normalize liver function are taken internally, as well as drugs that help restore normal metabolism in the body and regeneration skin. As a rule, these are antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamins E and C, nicotinic acid. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - indomethacin, aspirin - relieve skin inflammation well.
At severe itching Prescribe antihistamines that do not cause an allergic reaction to the sun.

For whom tanning is contraindicated!
Treatment usually lasts from several days to several weeks. Repeated occurrences of photodermatitis can lead to eczema . Therefore, if photodermatitis appears for the second time, then the sun is contraindicated for such a person.

But many people who only once had a “sun allergy” think that now tanning is contraindicated for them. This is wrong. If certain safety precautions are followed when sunbathing, such people can tan wonderfully. But children, in general, often “outgrow” this allergy, and it disappears on its own.

On the seashore and relaxing in the sun
1) For the first 2-3 days of rest, be sure to use sunscreen lotions with degrees of protection of at least 10-15 units;
2) Don't forget that optimal time exposure to the sun - before 11.00 and after 17.00, since after eleven in the morning the sun's rays are the most “evil” and can cause great harm not only for a child, but also for an adult;
3) Children under 3-3.5 years old should not be exposed to direct sunlight without a light T-shirt, panama hat or headscarf. The remaining exposed areas of the body - the face (nose, forehead, chin), elbows, legs - are best treated with special children's suntan lotions;
4) Children are recommended to eat more foods containing beta-carotene (carrots, apricots), which strengthen the body and protect it from harmful effects ultraviolet radiation on skin cells;
5) If, after all, it comes to a sunburn, weakness appears, the temperature rises, to ease the baby’s suffering, give him wet wipes, let him drink more and show him to a dermatologist as soon as possible.

6) Strengthen your immune system!

Health 07/22/2013

Summer is in full swing. Someone is happy and enjoys a beautiful tan, while others look at tanned people with sadness and some envy. Let's talk about sun allergies today. I think that this topic is relevant for many people. I never thought that I could face this problem myself. I tanned absolutely normally all the time. I first encountered this problem while on vacation in Turkey. We went on vacation with the whole family, how wonderful everything was. But after a couple of days I got up and couldn’t understand anything. Severe itching all over the body, skin rash, small blisters, redness of certain areas of the skin. But the worst thing was that any contact with water caused even greater irritation. It’s not far from a breakdown, and treatment of depression is a separate topic for discussion.

And it was especially difficult to bear everything because of the itching of the skin. It was just a test. Then I had to see a doctor. I called him through insurance. He prescribed me medications, I bought everything at a Turkish pharmacy, but my vacation was ruined. The rest of the time I had to stay in the shade, no sea. This situation repeated itself in the future, although I am very, very careful with tanning (only in the shade) and always use sunscreens.

So, first, let's talk about the symptoms and causes of sun allergies. How do they manifest themselves?

Photodermatitis. Doctors call sun allergy photodermatitis or photodermatosis. And this phenomenon is not so rare. Statistics show that 20% of people are susceptible to this disease. Not such a small number, would you agree? And how does it manifest itself?

Allergy to the sun. Symptoms

Some people with special sensitivity to sunlight suffer when they first appear. For those who are less sensitive, they may be exposed to more sun. for a long time, but allergies can overtake them too. The first manifestations may appear 18-72 hours after contact with the sun. What symptoms indicate sun allergy?

• First, slight redness of the skin and peeling of the skin appear. This most often occurs on the face and décolleté, but can also occur on the arms, legs, and any other areas of the body.
• There may be a skin rash or the appearance of small dots (look like freckles). I had a rash like hives. And the doctor told me that this was solar urticaria. Sometimes this condition leads to eczema. And this is already scary.
• Swelling may occur.
• Severe itching and burning of the skin. It seems that the whole body is simply on fire.
• In some cases, purulent rashes appear. Especially when you can’t restrain yourself, well, you just don’t have the strength from this itching and burning, you start scratching everything and then you get these symptoms.

I personally have been allergic to the sun with the combination of the sun and the pool. Apparently, what they were treated with, a combination of bleach or some other disinfectant, gave such a reaction. Previously, when visiting the pool, redness in the eyes could be observed. Nothing more. But it was the combination of the pool and sunlight that provoked such an allergic reaction.

In our area there is no such reaction to the sun. But here I don’t rest like that. After the sea, I can’t swim in our reservoirs. And when vacationing abroad during the beach season, there have been problems many times already. The holiday is ruined. This is clear. One thought is how to get rid of all the symptoms as quickly as possible. And, of course, it is very important to find out here, what are the causes of such an allergy?

Allergy to the sun. Reasons.

An allergy to the sun can also appear while on vacation in the forest, in a field, in hot countries, after swimming in a pool, or after a long stay in the sun. For some, these are just small pigment spots that appear scattered and do not decorate anyone, but for others it is more serious. Some people develop white spots on their face, which also cause a lot of emotions.

Allergies often occur in children, including infants. Their immunity has not yet gained strength or after illness.

Reasons skin reaction The effects of sun rays lie in a combination of external and internal factors.

TO external reasons This includes the cosmetics we use. From perfume, medicinal creams (for muscle pain, skin problems, the same sunburn), using certain medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight. This is, first of all, antimicrobials and diuretics. Of course, what matters is how much and how long we are exposed to the sun.

Therefore, you must carefully read the instructions - if they indicate that the product has such side effect, as photodermatitis, during treatment you should not spend time in the sun, visit a solarium, you need to cover your skin as much as possible when going outside.

If you use cosmetic products, look carefully to see if they contain salicylic and boric acid, essential oils, mercury preparations. Even lipstick that contains eosin can have a detrimental effect on the situation as a whole.

Pollen from flowering plants can also cause allergies. Also, a combination of sun and pool can give such a picture, as already mentioned in the article.

TO internal reasons Allergies to the sun include diseases of the liver, intestines, and disruptions in the body’s immune system.

Any allergy is provoked by factors such as decreased immunity, lack of vitamins, hidden diseases, metabolic disorders in the body. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to your health in general.

In these cases, it is a good idea to follow a diet and conduct a course of liver cleansing so that such reactions begin to subside.

The risk group of people who are prone to such allergies to the sun:

• Blondes and people with light skin.
• Little children.
• Pregnant women.
• Those people who really like to visit the solarium.
• Who did it the day before cosmetic procedures, such as tattooing, chemical peeling.

Photosensitizers.

In addition, there are special substances - photosensitizers that can provoke such a reaction in the body. These include all citrus fruits. Therefore, do not include oranges, tangerines, lemons in your diet if you are going to the beach. You need to know that the more active the sun, the more reaction even to such simple products may be unpredictable. See if bergamot oil or citrus oil is in your cosmetics that you use daily. They can cause such allergies.

Please pay attention to medical supplies that you accept. The following drugs are dangerous:

• Aspirin.
• Antibiotics.
• Medicines you take to treat and maintain your cardiovascular system.
• Diuretics.
• Antidepressants.
• Oral contraceptives with high content estrogen.

If you are going on vacation, ask your doctor all the questions the day before and consult him to see if they provoke sun allergies.

Allergy to the sun. Prevention. Treatment.

• Be very careful with sunbathing. 20 minutes in the sun is the best time.
• Before going to the beach, do not use decorative cosmetics or perfume.
• Use sunscreens with high protection.
• Do not use cosmetics containing fragrances. They can cause age spots to appear.
• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out into the sun. Often we swim, get out of the water and only then remember about them. For photodermatitis, this time is enough to manifest itself.
• When leaving the water, do not wipe yourself dry. This will help not dry out the skin, on the other hand, it will remove drops of water, which, like lenses, increase the impact of sunlight on the skin.
• Relax in the shade once you've had your swim.
• See your doctor. You may need antihistamines. I'm not a supporter of chemistry, but sometimes the body can't cope on its own. And it’s best to start taking them two days before departure on a trip.
• For those who have problems with the sun, it is best to sunbathe before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. And it is better to sunbathe under an awning or in the shade.
• If you have a severe allergy, wear long sleeves and pants to protect the affected areas from the sun. Be sure to wear hats on the beach.
• At the first symptoms of an allergy, it is imperative to take action. It is best to consult a doctor if this is your first time and there is nothing proven in your first aid kit. Don't delay your visit to the doctor. Allergies are a very insidious thing!

Treatment of sun allergy with mild and medium degree severity takes 7-10 days. In more severe cases – up to several weeks.

In addition to the medications your doctor will prescribe, cucumber juice, cabbage leaves and raw potatoes. Cabbage leaves are simply applied to pure form to the affected areas. Squeeze the mass out of the cucumber (remove the skin and grate it), spread it on gauze and apply it to the affected areas. Keep the compress for half an hour. After this, do not wash the skin. The cucumber film on the skin will protect from sun rays. And you can simply wipe your face and body with cucumber juice.

In addition, the solution baking soda may help with itchy skin and herbal baths with chamomile, string. In severe cases, the doctor prescribes hormonal ointments.

What foods should you include in your diet to avoid an allergic reaction to the sun?

• Include foods that are rich in vitamins C, B and E and antioxidants in your diet. All fresh fruits and berries are very healthy. Blueberries, pomegranate, currants, cocoa, green tea and many others.
• Drink large number clean water. This will help the body remove toxins. But categorically exclude carbonated drinks, juices and especially alcohol.
• On vacation, be very careful with exotic cuisine. If you have increased sensitivity towards the sun, do not experiment with it, at least in the very first days. Give your body a little time to readjust.

My experience in treating allergies. Tablets, ointments, preparations for sun allergies.

I’ll tell you about myself how I learned to save myself from sun allergies. Having suffered through several beach seasons, I turned to a dermatologist before leaving. She told me about her problems. He gave me a lot of recommendations. The most effective of them and tested precisely by experience, which suited me personally, turned out to be quite simple: two to three days before departure, start taking the drug “Erius”, 1 tablet once a day. During the first three to five days of vacation, I continue to take it.

With the arrival of summer, a huge number of people go out into nature, fly to the sea to relax under the sun, tan, and improve their immunity. But, unfortunately, many people have one problem - an allergy to the sun. It can also be confused with other types of allergies. But the problem needs to be eliminated, otherwise you won’t be able to rest properly.

This disease can appear due to prolonged exposure to the sun, while using deodorants, creams or some medications.

For some, it may appear within half a minute, for others, several hours or even a couple of days after exposure to the sun. Usually it looks like a rash that can spread throughout the body, peeling, pustules, swelling, burning. It most often affects people with weakened immune systems.

Large doses of ultraviolet radiation are a burden on the liver and kidneys.

Allergy to the sun, how to sunbathe?

1. It is necessary to use UV creams and other tanning products. They are usually applied before going out into the sun. After sunbathing, apply moisturizers to protect your skin from the sun.

2. After swimming in the water, there is no need to wipe yourself dry so as not to erase the layer of cream applied earlier. It will be enough just to blot your skin with a towel so as not to burn it even more.

3. It is advisable to use decorative cosmetics minimize, because in the sun it provokes the appearance of pigment on the skin, and it can go away no earlier than 3 weeks.

4. People with sensitive skin It is recommended to sunbathe in the shade.

5. Special ointments that contain betamethasone and prednisolone will help quickly solve allergy problems. Home remedies such as kefir, sunflower oil won't help. In this case you need special means after sunbathing, which contain special additives to cool, relieve inflammation, and soothe the skin.

6. You need to drink a lot of water, at least two liters, to remove allergens from the body.

If an allergy has already appeared and you urgently need to solve the problem, then the following tips will help:

1. When packing for a trip, you must immediately purchase antihistamines, after consulting with skin doctor. If an allergy occurs, you should immediately use this drug.
2. When the problem appears, you need to abstain from the sun until the problem is eliminated.
3. It will be useful to support the liver and normalize metabolism with such drugs as: vitamins C, B, E, aspirin, claritin, tavegil, suprastin.
4. If burning and itching occurs, you should use ointments with lanolin or other antihistamine, anti-inflammatory gels.
5. It is necessary to carry out treatment so that eczema does not appear, and it will be even more difficult to cope with.
6. Fresh cucumber juice will help soften the skin. Cabbage and potato juice will also help.
7. It is best, if possible, to immediately contact a specialist. He will tell you more about sun allergies and how to tan. The doctor should tell you how quickly the reaction appeared, what it looked like, and describe how you felt about it.

The cause of the allergy can be completely eliminated. If allergies occur in children, most often they simply outgrow them over time.