About Allergies: Could You Be Allergic to the Sun?

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Summertime brings outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, camping and just lounging in the backyard. Along with these activities comes sun exposure, which can cause allergic rashes in certain people. In my practice, I often encounter people who say that they are allergic to the sun. With exposure to sunlight, they experience symptoms such as itching, hives or burning. Some have visible rashes while others don't. Some have a medical condition that makes them more sensitive to sunlight; others are using various medications or topical agents that cause a reaction on the skin with sun exposure. It is possible that you can be allergic to the sunlight, with exposure causing hives. More commonly, people experience hives as a result of heat exposure - whether due to the warm of the sun, hot showers or exercise. Other reactions to sunlight occur as a result of contact dermatitis to topically applied products, such as cosmetics and sunblock. Hives with Sun Exposure Solar urticaria is a form of chronic hives that is caused by exposure to sunlight. People with this condition experience itching, redness and hives on areas of skin exposed to sunlight. At times, symptoms can be confused with a sunburn, although solar urticaria can occur within minutes of exposure to the sun, and goes away much quicker (less than a day) after sun exposure has stopped. Search Related Topics:  itching  hives  heat allergy It's So Hot I've Got Hives! Cholinergic or heat urticaria is a form of chronic hives that is caused by an increase in body temperature. Hives are caused by any increase in body temperature, such as hot showers, exercise, spicy foods, or being under too many covers in bed at night. Strong emotions may also cause hives to occur in people with cholinergic urticaria. Search Related Topics:  hives  itching  antihistamines Think You Might Have a Sunblock Allergy? Over the past 20 years, the dangers of sun exposure have been recognized, from sun-damaged skin to skin cancer. As a result, the use of sunscreens has become a routine part of our daily lives. This has led to various allergic reactions to the chemicals found in sunscreens. Most of these allergic reactions represent contact dermatitis. Search Related Topics:  contact dermatitis causes  evaluation of contact dermatitis  cosmetic allergy Related Searches Skin Rash Allergies Allergic Reactions Allergy or Allergies What Are Allergies Allergies Causes Featured Articles Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications Allergy Basics Frequently Asked Questions Nose and Eye Allergies Skin Allergies   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement