Treatment of photodermatitis. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis

If there was no sun, there would be no life on our planet. The rays of the heavenly body bring a lot of benefits. They give joy in the winter, and in the spring and summer provide people with warmth and play an important role in strengthening immunity. But it should be noted that the sun can do harm. For example, some people may experience an allergy during sun exposure.

What is photodermatitis?

Allergy to sunlight doctors call photodermatitis. This disease occurs mainly with increased sensitivity of the skin to bright sunlight. This phenomenon can not be called rare, as it is encountered by almost 20% of the world's population. Photodermatitis most often occurs in countries where solar activity is increased, but its manifestation is also possible during normal rest on the sea coast.

Types of photodermatitis

In medicine, sun dermatitis is divided into two types, based on the specifics of which doctors prescribe the treatment of photodermatitis. The first species is endogenous. It depends on the metabolism and functioning of the body's immune system. To this type of disease include such manifestations as porphyria, solar eczema, solar pruritus, polymorphic photodermatosis and pigment xeroderma. The second type is exogenous dermatitis, which is caused exclusively by external factors. It appears due to a collision of sunlight with deodorants or creams on a person's skin.

External risk factors

Treatment of photodermatitis often depends on the cause of its appearance, so first of all you need to get rid of the allergen. Various substances that are part of many perfumes or cosmetics can cause allergies when reacting with ultraviolet light. If you use an ointment, cream, cologne or perfume before going out to the open sun, sun dermatitis may occur. The photo below clearly shows how this disease manifests on the face skin.

Very often an allergy to the sun appears when a person rests on the nature. A large number of field plants during their flowering period is marked by a special substance - furocoumarin, which settles on the surface of the epidermis. Simultaneous exposure to furocoumarin and ultraviolet light leads to reddening of the skin and the appearance of bubbles on it. Such a rash is accompanied by severe itching, and after some time the affected areas are filled with pigmentation.

Photodermatitis can be caused by medications. This effect has some antibiotics, for example, "Tetracycline" and "Doxycycline." Also, the cause of the disease can be funds for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, for example, "Trazikor" and "Amiodarone." In addition, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal preparations such as "Aspirin" or "Ibuprofen" can cause allergy to the sun. Most often the development of this allergy, however, is promoted by barbiturates, sulfonamides and oral contraceptives.

Internal Risk Factors

The likelihood of this disease is affected by the type of human skin. People with a swarthy skin sunbathe quickly and almost do not face allergies to the sun. Quite a different situation with light-skinned people. They sunbathe much harder, often get sunburn or face an allergic reaction to the sun. Photodermatitis in children develops significantly more often than in adults. This is due not only to the fair skin of babies, but also to their weak immunity.

To provoke a solar dermatitis various infringements in work of an organism can. The main ones are renal and hepatic insufficiency, problems with the endocrine system or beriberi.

How is photodermatitis manifested?

Symptoms of this disease are skin rashes. They can be of a different nature. Solar dermatitis can manifest itself in the form of red spots or small pimples and blisters, which are accompanied by itching. This disease can also be expressed in dry peeling or swelling. Often there is a photodermatitis on the face. But it also happens that the rash occurs on some parts of the body, and very rarely it can manifest on the limbs. Such an allergy develops, as a rule, after being in the sun for a long time. After the disappearance of symptoms on the skin may remain pigmented spots.

Sunny dermatitis does not develop instantly. Symptoms can manifest themselves some time after leaving the beach, and sometimes after a few days.

Complications of photodermatitis are conjunctivitis and cheilitis. In addition, the patient may suffer from general weakness and rapid fatigue if he has complicated sunny dermatitis. The photo below shows how this allergy might look like.

Diagnosis of the disease

To diagnose allergy in the sun, you need to contact three specialists. They are a dermatologist, an immunologist and an allergist. Initially, the doctor asks about how the disease began, what were the first manifestations, then wondered whether there are people in the family who are highly sensitive to the sun, and also how harmful his profession is. In the course of diagnosis, a mandatory test is performed - a test that determines the sensitivity of the skin to the sun's rays. Then prove or deny the presence of this type of allergy in the patient.

Treatment

The disease is treated locally. The doctor prescribes ointment from photodermatitis, which contains methyluracil or zinc. If the rash is accompanied by inflammation, prescribe an ointment containing glucocorticoids. To improve the regeneration of the skin, appoint "Panthenol".

To improve immunity, prescribe a special complex of vitamins for internal use. These are representatives of group B, nicotinic acid, as well as vitamins C, E, and A.

If the allergy to the sun is manifested by peeling, a variety of moisturizing creams are recommended. Treatment of photodermatitis is sometimes possible with the help of folk remedies. For example, to dry pimples and moisturize the skin, you can use lotions with decoction of celandine, chamomile or string.

The endogenous form of photodermatitis treats the very cause of the disease. For example, with renal failure or liver pathology, the doctor prescribes a drug that improves the performance of a particular organ.

If the bubbles contain a large amount of exudate, they are opened. It is advisable that an expert does this, as one can do it sloppily or bring an infection. Sometimes the symptoms go away quickly, but basically the treatment of photodermatitis lasts several days, and in case of complications it can drag on for weeks.

Prevention

Methods of preventing this disease are fairly simple, in addition, they are not very many. A person with sensitive skin should be sunbathing under an umbrella or under an awning. It is undesirable to be under the sun in the period from 11.00 to 16.00 hours, at which time the celestial body shows the greatest activity. It is necessary to protect the face with the help of the headdress, and the body - with the help of loose clothing, which is made of natural fabric, for example cotton or flax. Children who have not reached the age of three, should not be under the bright sun rays at all. People with sensitive skin should use special protective equipment.

Before you go to the beach, you can not use perfume, deodorants or moisturizers. Such things often contain alcohol, so that a burn can occur. Do not use a waterproof sunscreen, it clogs the pores, after which the appearance of abscesses is not ruled out.

Treatment without doctors

Often in the resorts there is no way to get to the doctor. In this case, you need to know how to treat photodermatitis yourself. Acute allergic manifestations can be removed with the help of various cold lotions. For this, you can simply use ice, or you can use chilled tea brew or dairy products. If the rash is localized in a specific place, you need to cover it from the sun's rays. To minimize itching, you can use antihistamines.

Do not drown out the manifestations of allergy to the sun only by external means, most often this treatment will not be enough. It should be borne in mind that the disease can not be ignored, even if within a couple of days it has passed by itself. If possible, you must always consult a doctor. Adhering to the recommendations of specialists, getting rid of photodermatosis will not be difficult.