Sun Rash on face
Joined: 03 Feb 2008
| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:05 am Post subject: Sun Rash on face | |
| Hi
Im new to the fourm. I have a combination of Rosacea and Seb derm 
I work in a customer facing job and it is a real stress to deal with. On top of that, a real problem I have is the sun. For the past 3=4 yrs every time I go out in summer sun I develope a severe reaction on my face. The reaction has the same pattern every time. Starting with small yellow blisters around my nose that then spread down and out and around my mouth and even neck. When the blisters disappear my skin becomes really dry and red for the next 5 days. The blisters only seem to come out 12-24 hrs after being in the sun. As little as 1 min in strong sun can create this reaction. I have been do 2 derms and neither offer any real help. Can anyone help with these symptoms? Cheers Darren |
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Location: Tucson, Arizona USA
| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:12 am Post subject: | |
| Hi Darren...
I think I am having a similar reaction to sunlight. My reaction to the sun is brought on by just a few seconds of sunlight on my face. This just started for me a little over a month ago. I get a burning sensation around my nose extending down and around my mouth, and the skin gets red and feels tight. A day after exposure I sometimes breakout in a few painful pimples in the affected areas, although not always. The affected skin gets really rough and dry after the reaction, I can say that. It hurts to smile or stretch the affected skin during and after the reaction. It's like a weird tingly burning feeling. Also, this only happens on my face, and it happens in the same spots every time. When it first started a month ago it mostly affected my outer cheeks, but now it is concentrated around my nose and mouth for some reason. The weird thing for me is it seems like I am getting the reaction a lot easier these days...I can now get the reaction from ambient sunlight in my house a well as visible light after sunset. Does this kind of sound like what you have? I wrote a long post about my reaction in this section of the forum but got many views and no replies. I am set to see my regular doctor on Thursday for an evaluation on this. I'm sure that I will be referred to a derm, but am wondering what they will be able to do for me anyway. In your case. I would guess that since it sounds like it only happens during the sunny summer days and you break out in what you describe as blisters, you are most likely having a Polymorphous Light Eruption. Obviously I'm not a doctor, but since I've been researching different photosensitive conditions lately because of what I'm going through, I would have to say your reaction fits the symptoms of PLE. There's a lot of information out there on it if you do an internet search. If it is PLE, I think I read that it gets better as the season goes on and your skin gets used to the sun. I can't say the same for my reaction...it only gets worse. As far as treating the symptoms, I would just treat your skin gently during a reaction and stay out of the sun until it heals (this is easier said than done, I know). I have had success applying pure Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil mixed with a little Jojoba Oil to my skin to help it heal faster, but I know that's not everyone's 'cup of tea'. Aloe is too drying for me and doesn't relieve the tightness so I forgo that remedy. Good luck....staying away from sunlight is like trying not to breathe air 
Laurie |
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Joined: 03 Feb 2008
| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject: | |
| Cheers for the reply!
I have done lots of research on this also and I am so confused as to what I have got. It does sound like PLE but it dosent get any better in the summer. No matter what suncream I put on it still happens. The tiny yellow blisters are awful but the pain and redness for the next 7 days is even worse. I really dont get it, how can the exact same pattern happen every time!! almost hour for hour. It always starts around my nose and spreads but never effects my cheeks. It does sound like you have something similar. If possible, can you let me know what the derm says? I dont think I can take another summer of this!!! Darren |
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Forum Moderator
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Dorset, UK
| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: | |
| Sorry not sure what to advise. From your description it sort of sounds like:
http://dermnetnz.org/acne/perioral-dermatitis.html However this may be more useful for you: http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/photosensitivity.html |
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Location: Tucson, Arizona USA
| Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject: | |||
It is so frustrating dealing with this isn't it? I don't know where you live, but I live in Arizona which has something like 350 clear sunny days per year, so every day is like summer here. I just can't get a break from the sun, so I'm stuck in the house for now to avoid my reactions. Just like your reaction, my reaction always starts in the same spot and travels over time...the days following the reaction are the most painful. The only way the your reaction differs from mine is that you get the yellow blisters...I can't say that I get those. My reaction also happens whether I am wearing sunscreen or not. Since I can't figure out exactly what I have either, I have thought of some weird theories...like that I might have some kind of fungal infection in these areas that reacts and flares with sunlight...however how reasonable is it for this to happen after only a few seconds of exposure (or in your case 1 minute)? And why isn't it there when we aren't exposed to sun? You would think it would be there all the time, to some degree, if it were some kind of fungal condition. The links that Phlika29 provided are good...perioral dermatitis seems likely, but it still seems weird that it would flare up so violently with such little sun exposure. I have researched different things that one can take to reduce photosensitivity...beta-carotene is one of them so I have started taking it in supplement form (in addition to eating lots of veggies). It certainly can't hurt...it's non-toxic and I'm willing to try most anything for some relief of any kind right now. Well, obviously I have too much time on my hands here in the house and I've rambled too long...I'll post about my experience with the doctor on Thursday... Take care, Laurie |
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