Photodermatitis: types, causes, symptoms, treatment

What is photodermatitis and what does it look like?

Photodermatitis on the face and body is a skin condition caused by an immune system reaction to UV light. Sunlight itself is not an allergen, but it can change the structure of certain substances on the surface or in deep layers of the skin, which, in turn, increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light and cause allergies.

Manifestations of photodermatitis are conditionally divided into local and general. Open areas of the body – face, neck, hands, décolleté, shoulders, less often arms and legs – redden, swell and become covered with rashes of various types. The state of health worsens, fever, dizziness, pain in the eyes, weakness and tearing are possible.

Causes of photodermatitis

The cause of abnormal photosensitivity can be:

• Taking medications, from antibiotics to heart medications and contraceptives;
• cosmetic ingredients;
• Diseases of the liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, hormonal imbalance;
• Dermatitis of any kind, especially atopic;
• Cosmetic procedures and tattoos.

Anyone can develop solar photodermatitis, but pregnant women, young children, and people with very fair and thin skin are at risk.

Symptoms of photodermatitis

Photodermatitis and its types can be confused with a common allergic reaction, especially if you’re on vacation, trying unusual new foods, or surrounded by exotic plants. The general deterioration of well-being resembles the symptoms of ordinary overheating.

Symptoms of photodermatitis appear a few hours after resting in bright sun:

• redness;
• painful rash and crusts, vesicles – often photodermatitis looks like urticaria;
• excruciating itching, burning;
• swelling, puffiness;
• weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, palpitations.

Be careful: unlike other allergic reactions, photodermatosis affects only areas of the skin exposed to the sun. In a mild form, the symptoms may disappear on their own after a few days, but this is not a reason to cancel a visit to the doctor.

It is necessary to identify the causes of rashes, select an adequate treatment and receive recommendations on proper skin care with photodermatitis phenomena.

Types of solar photodermatitis

Depending on the cause of the toxic reaction of the body, two types of photodermatitis are distinguished:

Endogenous

It develops when ultraviolet radiation interacts with certain substances in human skin. The list of provocateurs of endogenous photodermatitis is wide:

• Violations in the work of organs and systems of the body: diseases of the liver and adrenal glands, impaired metabolism of porphyrins, endocrine diseases (hyperthyroidism) and vitamin deficiencies (for example, vitamin PP), pregnancy, etc .;
• Taking medications: antibiotics, diuretics, oral contraceptives, drugs for the treatment of diabetes, tranquilizers, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory and even some antihistamines;
• Certain foods: parsley, celery, nuts, eggs, fennel, figs, citrus fruits.

Finding the real cause can take a lot of time, but only if it is eliminated, it is possible to get rid of photodermatitis, and not just reduce external manifestations.

Exogenous

Easier and faster to treat, it is associated with substances that enter the skin and change under the influence of sunlight. Among the possible causes of exogenous photodermatitis:

• Cosmetics with retinoids, salicylic acid, eosin;
• Perfumes based on musk and essential oils;
• Plant pollen: hogweed, angelica, buttercup, sedge;
• pool chlorine;
• Household chemicals and traces of laundry detergent on clothes;
• Peeling, laser resurfacing, procedures using cadmium salts (tattoo, tattoo);
• Too frequent trips to the solarium.

Exogenous dermatitis will no longer bother if certain substances are not allowed to enter the skin surface, carefully read the composition of new cosmetics and household chemicals, and also refuse cosmetology with a traumatic effect in summer and spring.

Treatment of photodermatitis

Therapy takes from several days to 2 weeks, depending on the severity of the condition:

1. Diagnostics Examination of a dermatologist and an allergist who will tell you how to treat photodermatitis. Checking the reaction using ultraviolet irradiation, tests for substances provocateurs of dermatitis.
2. Elimination of external manifestations Treatment of affected areas to heal blisters and relieve itching, antihistamines.
3. internal treatment Work with malfunctions in the body that caused increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

For the prevention of photodermatitis:

• Avoid direct sunlight;
• When choosing laundry detergents, pay attention to hypoallergenic products and rinse things thoroughly;
• Limit the use of makeup, skin care cosmetics and perfumes, especially before going out;
• Try not to come into contact with flowering plants, be careful in nature, in the park, on picnics and outdoor verandas;
• During an exacerbation of photodermatitis and treatment, adhere to a diet that does not contain foods that increase photosensitivity (parsley, celery, citrus fruits, etc.).

If you have photodermatitis, this does not mean that you can no longer sunbathe at the sea – and the child may even outgrow the allergy to the sun. Use hypoallergenic sunscreens with a high SPF, avoid going to the beach between 11:00 am and 16:00 pm, and moderate sunbathing becomes safe.

La Roche-Posay sunscreen review

With a tendency to photodermatitis, it is especially important to protect the skin from the sun. Introducing our basic hypoallergenic products with a high protective factor.

ANTHELIOS Sun Moisturizing Milk for Face and Body SPF50

Comfortable universal milk texture for face and body. The non-sticky formula leaves no white marks and is water and sweat resistant. It has an antioxidant effect thanks to the formula with La Roche-Posay Thermal Water in the composition.

ANTHELIOS Sun Moisturizing Face & Eye Cream SPF 50+/PPD 35

Suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin prone to sun allergies. Light texture with a very high protective factor reliably blocks UV, moisturizes and does not leave white marks. Tested under dermatological and ophthalmological control.

Sunscreen invisible fluid ANTHELIOS SPF 50+/PPD 46

An option for those who prefer very light textures. The fluid has a high degree of protection against UVA and UVB rays, resistant to water and sweat. Formulated with XL-Protect Technology to neutralize free radicals and help prevent oxidative stress.

ANTHELIOS XL Sun Spray Veil for Face and Body SPF 50+/ 25 PPD

The convenient format of contactless application is hygienic and convenient in the city, on excursions and on the veranda of a summer cafe, as it allows you to easily and quickly renew sun protection on the run. Despite the light invisible texture, the spray veil has a very high degree of protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Apply sunscreen correctly:

• Before leaving the house, and not on the beach, so as not to burn out on the way;
• Approximately one tablespoon for each exposed part of the body and one teaspoon for the face and neck;
• Particular attention to sensitive areas: neckline, ears, hands;
• Repeat after 2 hours or after each bath;
• After sunbathing, we recommend that you wash off the remnants of the product in the shower, without using a scrub or washcloth, so as not to damage the skin.