Contents
From the age of 18, Maria suffered from an allergy to the sun. The allergy was so strong that exposure to the sun for several hours caused Maria discomfort. This lasted until she decided to try sunscreens to protect her skin from UVA and UVB rays.
UVA RAYS: AND AS IN THE WORDS AGING (“AGEING”) AND ALLERGY
UVA rays, which reach the surface of the earth all year round and even through clouds, make up 95% of all ultraviolet radiation. They penetrate clouds, glass and the epidermis. Unlike UVB rays, they act painlessly, however, they penetrate very deep into the skin and reach the dermis cells. The rays provoke the synthesis of free radicals, and their effect is felt afterwards:
- photoaging: a change in the direction of elastin and collagen fibers, as a result of which the skin loses its elasticity, wrinkles appear;
- hypersensitivity to the sun, more commonly called allergies (redness, itching, summer sun dermatitis);
- pigmentation disorders (pregnancy mask, age spots);
- skin cancer.
SITUATION
Maria, when did you become allergic to the sun?
I always spent my holidays at my parents’ house on the coast. Once, when I was 18, small dots appeared on my neck, forearms and shoulders, which unpleasantly itched. I thought it was a one time skin reaction to the sun. So I waited for the dots to disappear and continued to enjoy the sun until the end of the summer.
SYMPTOMS
Did the symptoms disappear over time?
Actually, no… They have intensified! I love the sun, so I never miss an opportunity to sunbathe. But every time I went out into the sun, the reaction became even stronger, more and more dots appeared and they itched more and more! As a result, the skin could no longer tolerate the sun, and I thought that I would have to constantly hide from it.
SOLUTION
Have you found a solution?
Actually asked this question on the thematic forum. One of the participants said that she had the same problem as me, an allergy to the sun. This woman advised me to see a dermatologist. I made an appointment, and the dermatologist advised me to buy a sunscreen with SPF 50 at the pharmacy. And for two years now I have been doing great, even though I don’t sunbathe all day! Anyway, after so many years of allergies, I can finally be in the sun!
UVB RAYS: B AS IN “BURNS” OR “BRONZED SKIN”
UVB rays make up 5% of all ultraviolet that reaches the earth’s surface. They contain a large amount of energy, and some of them are blocked by clouds and glass. These rays can penetrate the epidermis. Thanks to them, people not only sunbathe, but also burn, allergies appear, and skin cancer can develop. That’s why it’s important to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.