My Summers W/ Photodermatosis: Sun Allergy

I used to love playing outside in the summer. The feel of the hot sun on my face and arms was comforting and inviting. I use to beg my mom to let me eat my lunch outside just so I wouldn't miss a minute of the sunshine. I found cloudy days depressing and boring and many times refused to play outside just because it wasn't sunny.

That all changed the spring of 1983 when I developed a rash. The rash started out small and itchy, but eventually grew to cover most of both arms. After scratching part of the rash until it bled I finally decided it was time to consult mom. After a short and accusing inquisition my mom believed me when I told her I hadn't gotten into something I wasn't suppose to. (We lived next to a farm.)

Due to the rash I was ordered to take an oatmeal bath and remain inside for the rest of the day. Before long the rash was no longer itchy and the redness was slowly fading. By the next morning I was ready to get back outside and since the rash appeared to be clearing up I was allowed back outside.

Unfortunately, within minutes my rash began to itch. The rash became an angry red and again I was forced to consult with mom. This time she called the doctor.

The diagnosis was nothing serious, at least according to the doctor, just a case of Photodermatosis. Sun allergy also known as sun poisoning is caused by a persons immune system having an abnormal reaction to the sun. Actually more accurately to the UVA and / or the UVB rays. The reaction causes a mild to sever red, bumpy rash that forms in patchs on the skin.

The treatment for sun allergy is topical corticosteroids or hydrocortisone for mild reactions. A person who suffers from sun allergy is required to wear a sunscreen with a high SPF rating and broad spectrum labeling even when sun exposure will be limited. For most individuals the sun screen alone may eliminate the allergic reaction.

In my case the allergy is severe so even with sun screen I will develop a rash that requires the topical cortisone to be applied. Doesn't sound to bad? Well the topical cream completely blocks the sun so any sun exposure after application means that the covered patch of skin will not tan with the rest of the skin. As a kid I did not want to be confined inside and thus I ended up with flaky blotchy skin, add Christian summer school to the mix, and you get...Leprosy!

Alright, so some of you are laughing at this point imagining a spotted white chick. I do see some of the humor now, but as a child it devastated my more each summer. Until, eventually I didn't do anything outdoors.

My avoidance of outdoor activities began to affect my son as he grew older and wanted to play outside. I refused to let him play outside many days because there was no adult supervision and I was unwilling to expose myself to the sun.

I soon realized that my allergy should not make the rest of the family suffer and I began to gradually add outside activities to my daily routine. Imagine a large floppy hat, long sleeves, and a long skirt and you have me on a sunny summer day. Your laughing again aren't you. Oh well, I have gotten used to the looks and the questions.

It has been more than twenty years since I was diagnosed with photodermatosis and I am happy to say our family has found many ways to enjoy the outdoors. We camp and geocache on a regular basis and the advances in sun screen over recent years has dramatically reduced my allergy symptoms.