Need to know if anyone knows anything
about this allergy
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sarah1578
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 6
Posted: 05-25-04 15:24pm
Hi cindy,
i have solar urticaria, have for about a
year. I've been researching it like crazy
since the doctors don't seem to know much
about it. Do you have it as well? What
specific questions do you have?
Solar urticaria is very rare. Skin turns
red, itchy, and sometimes swollen after as
few as 3 minutes in the sun. The rash
usually goes away within an hour. No
cures, just has to be controlled with
specialized sunblocks and antihistamines
or other drugs.
Sarah
<-- my face in the sun
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Cindy3
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 12
Posted: 05-25-04 19:33pm
Hi sarah
yes I also have solar urticaria. I was
diagnosed two years ago. My limit is four
minutes before I start getting hives. I
was taking atarax but it didn't help with
the itching so I stopped taking it.I just
try to avoid the sun as much as I can.
How do you cope with it? It is nice to
finally find someone I can talk to about
this even though i'm sorry you have this
too.
Cindy :d
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sarah1578
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 6
Posted: 05-26-04 01:33am
Cindy,
i agree, it's great to have someone else
with this to talk to. I'm still in the
process of experimenting with sunblocks
and what not, but the only thing i've
found that does anything is allegra. It
doesn't keep the redness away, but it
reduces the itching a lot. I have to take
180 mg at the beginning of the day which
is enough to make me a little dizzy but
better a little dizzy than itchy. Another
person I read about with solar urticaria
said that coppertone shade sunblock works
for her. I bought it, slathered it on and
went outside for a half hour and it wasn't
pretty i'm also going to
try zinc oxide sunscreen and beta carotene
supplements.
I'm often still just wearing long-sleeved
shirts and making sure i'm in the shade
when i'm driving, etc. I'm really getting
frustrated with this so i'm researching it
a lot in hopes i'll stumble upon
something. It doesn't seem to be getting
less severe as the season goes on like it
did last summer. I'll let you know as I
stumble across more things, have you done
a lot of research as well? I went to a
few doctors and ended up teaching them
about this.
Take care,
sarah
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Cindy3
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 12
Posted: 05-26-04 19:31pm
Sarah, i've tried a few different
sunscreen/sunblocks, so far with no
luck.
I even tried baby sunblock 50. It gave me
a few more minutes. So far it hasn't
bothered my face and it takes longer than
a few minutes to bother my arms, but I
can't wear shorts at all because if my
legs get exposed I break out in just four
minutes and get light headed and sick to
my stomach. The doctor said that I
exposed to much skin and that it will
effect some people that way.
How did yours start? Mine started when I
was driving down the road, I was wearing
shorts and it got me through the glass. I
know some people a safe through glass, are
you?
Do you have any idea what causes this?
Cindy
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cherisse
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 1 Location: trinidad
Posted: 05-31-04 12:17pm
Hi guys,im from the caribbean and I have
developed this solar allergy also.Its real
bad and frustrating.I was always able to
go in the sun as a child but 3 years ago
this came to and end.I have also suddenly
developed allergy and sinus problems.What
is going on with me?Im glad im not the
only one going through this.
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Cindy3
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 12
Posted: 05-31-04 21:53pm
Hi cherisse
unfortunely you are not alone. I have
been looking for people and information on
the internet for awhile now and haven't
found much of either. I think i've talked
to four other people with this.
Maybe if we put together our history we
can figure out what triggered this.
Talk to you again later
cindy
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sarah1578
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 6
Hello Again Posted: 06-04-04 18:58pm
Mine started when I was walking dogs at
the humane society last year...I remember
thinking i'd gotten fleas. Then I thought
it was the tree pollen but over time I
realized it was the sun. It's odd because
at the very beginning of the season I was
down in georgia hiking, and I was in the
sun enough to get a little burned. When I
came home however (northern michigan) it
started right away.
I started my summer job on an island, and
my allergy is really getting in the way of
a lot of things. I take allegra every
day, I can't really tell how much good it
is doing. Luckily I am working for a
couple that has a world- renowned doctor,
and I explained the situation to him. It
sparked his interest and he has pledged to
me that he'll look into it more and see if
there is anything new on this. Hopefully
he'll find something I haven't, although I
have my doubts. I will let you know!
Does it affect you through your clothing?
It only affects me through mine if i'm
wearing white or a very light fabric. The
weather's heating up and i'm dreading
those humid days when i'll be wearing a
sweatshirt outside!
I tried zinc oxide ointment and spf 50
sunblock, but there was very little
difference. I read about homeopathic
treatments online and I came across
something called natrum muriaticum, it's
only 5 bucks so i'm giving it a shot.
One other thing I wanted to mention is
that my reaction only really occurs once
i'm back out of the sun. Today I went
kayaking and while I was out there, I
could feel my skin getting hot but not
until I was back in the car did it really
go crazy. Does that sound like what
happens to you or is it more immediate?
Were there any big events in your life
right before this came on?
That's all for now, i'll talk to you
soon!
Sarah
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Cindy3
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 12
Posted: 06-05-04 05:50am
Hi sarah
yours sound alot like mine. I will get it
if I wear light (thin) shirts. I get it
through the car windshield. I'll get it
while i'm still outside if I stay out more
than four or five minutes. The itch is
the worst of it though. If I wear shorts
and it gets my legs then I will get sick
to my stomach and feel like i'm going to
pass out.
I live in virginia and have no idea what
happened to start it.
The only major illness I have had is mono
a few years ago. Ask your doctor friend
if any meds can trigger it. I read that
on-line somewhere.
I hope that we can find something we have
in common and maybe figure out a cure. We
can only hope right?
Talk to you again soon.
Cindy
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pburton
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Louisville KY
Solar Urticaria Posted: 06-13-04 00:53am
Hey all,
i too suffer from solar urticaria. I
have had it for about 14 years, and
instead of getting better, this past year
has been the worse one yet.
The hives no longer go away on their own.
I have to take a medrol dose pack &
this is the first time that I have gotten
them through my shirt !
I have been to so many different drs for
this & there does not seem to be a
real solution, other than staying out of
the sun.
The last dr I went to, wanted me to stand
out in his parking lot to see a new hive.
I did find out that benadryl will make you
more photosensitive !
I have an appt june 22 with a new
dermatologist, so perhaps something new
will be presented.
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Cindy3
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 12
Posted: 06-13-04 06:30am
Hi pburton
it's nice to meet you. Fourteen years
huh. That's a long time. Do you have any
idea what triggered yours? We are hoping
that there may be a trigger that we all
have in common.
We can also help support each other
because I don't know about you but I can
have a really hard time dealing with this
especially this time of year(summer) when
everyone is going to the beach and working
in the garden, things like that.
Will talk to you more later.
Cindy :d
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fleur
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Emgland
Solar Urticaria Posted: 06-14-04 09:42am
Hello
i have just found this health site and
questions about this complaint. My 39yr
old daughter developed this three years
ago after we had gathered rasberries and
the sun was hidden. She has consulted
her g.P and dermatologist and done all
the things she could but has had a dose
each summer since. The latest she says
appeared through walking across the school
car park to the building unpretected. It
is primarily on her face. As she is
working she asked me to do the leg work
and find out the highest possible factor
cream available. I don'r know where you
operate from but I would be extremely
grateful if you could keep us posted to
any new creams or treatments. She
suffers from atopic eczema. I feel for
her as we have looked for skin treatments
for years for her eczema and now to have
an added problem. My thoughts are with
all of you.
Fleur
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pburton
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Louisville KY
'solar Urticaria' Posted: 06-14-04 20:30pm
Hi cindy,
the only trigger that we could determine
was that I went to florida for a week and
then 2 months later spent 2 weeks in at
pawleys island nc and that is when the
hives started. Since I live in ky, the
sun intensity is not as strong as in the
south. I did use sunscreen, but only an
12 spf, which was greater than I had used
in the past. Always tanned very easily,
with very little burning.
The first dermatologist suggested that it
was the two close exposures to intense
sun, with very little protection. Had
also gone to a tanning bed before going to
sc. Not really sure if this is what
caused this to happen, but I am so tired
of watching what I do. I has really
caused life style changes. I avoid
activities anymore that will put me in the
sun for any length of time. Just walking
to the car or driving can cause hives,
even with sunscreen.
I hope to get some answers from my up
coming drs appt with a new allergist
/dermatologist who is supposed to
specialize in 'solar urticaria' , will let
you know how it goes.
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Posted: 06-14-04 22:52pm
Would it help any to get a note from your
Dr. To get your vehicle windows tinted, I
know that my step-brother has a lot of
trouble with the sun and has a Dr.'s note
to have his vehicle windows tinted due to
skin cancers. I hope this has helped!
Sincerely,
sandy
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Oradragon
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 1
Posted: 06-15-04 12:37pm
I've just been to see a dermatologist and
he thinks solar urticaria may be what I
have... I get hives within a couple of
hours of coming out of the sun, and they
usually stick around for 24-48 hours. I
haven't found that sunscreen has helped,
or antihistamines. Covering up with
clothing helps, but I can get the hives
through glass as well. Mine doesn't seem
to get any better as the summer goes on.
I've had it for about 4 summers now.
I'm pretty sure mine was triggered by a
birth control pill (triphasil) that I took
for several months a few years ago.
Suffice it to say, i'm no longer on that
particular pill, but the condition
remains.
The dermatologist has prescribed me a drug
called prednisone (a corticosteroid in
pill form) for the short term... I'll let
you know if it helps. Anyone else been on
this particular drug?
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sarah1578
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 6
Posted: 06-18-04 16:10pm
Just checking in, nice surprise to see all
the new posters on here! I just got my
herbal supplements today and will let you
know how it goes. Other than that, this
thing is really grating on me more and
more every day, i'm going to the
university of michigan dermatology
department in the fall just to see if they
have anything more to offer. Maybe
someone wants to study us the doctor that
promised me a remedy has found nothing
helpful so far, but he is determined. I'm
keeping my fingers crossed, till then i'm
wearing dark long-sleeved shirts and
keeping a stash of itch-x in my purse
hang in there!
Sarah
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JJC
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Bristol, UK
5 Years On And Still In the Shade!.. Posted: 06-23-04 09:44am
Hi, I have had this condition for 5
years...After getting extremely sun burnt
in oz (stupid I know!)... I now live in
the uk and have little support or
information available here... Anyway,
here goes:
i have quite a chronic reaction to a
specific band of uva light and get the
rash developing within 3-5 minutes of full
exposure - even through glass (in the car,
glass roofed buildings etc) - and the
itching becomes totaly unbearable after 10
minutes or so. It greatly reduces over an
hour or so after coming out of the sun
until it has gone completely within 2
hours.
I am lucky that I do not get it on my face
or "topside" of my lower arms and can
pretty much move freely on bright days if
covered up elsewhere(apparently wearing
t-shirts etc has caused a desensitisation
on these areas, but I do get it on my
throat and underside of my lower arms) -
but I have found that the light does get
through certain types of loose weave
clothing... Now, as a rule, if I can see
through it when holding it up it will not
stop the light getting to my skin, so I
buy alternatives or layer my clothes!
I take no medication... With no hope of a
"cure" - various desensitising light
treatments have been painful and of little
benefit - I didn't want to keep taking
chemicals and I have found that managing
it is easier (this is for me, but perhaps
not a suitable approach for all).
I always use a spf factor 60 4* uva
blocking sun cream (sun sense - auzzie
brand - uk ratings given) this is the only
one that works for me and this stuff is
great... I just have to be really strict
on the initial application (20 mins before
exposure) and re-application times (every
hour).... Using this I can now just get
away with wearing shorts and thin cotton
shirts... I do still have move from shade
to shade - just not as quick!!
The thing is, I do like the suntanned look
and to get this I now go and get a
"fantasy" tan applied every month or so..
Just so I "feel" better and not so pale.
Be interested in the herbal
option...And...
...The upshot to this condition - as my
consultant keeps teeling me - is that at
least I wont be dying from a melanoma of
the skin...
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needacure
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 1
Solar Urticaria - Remedies? Posted: 06-28-04 16:38pm
Hi everyone,
i was surprised to see so man postings
regarding solar urticaria. I have been
diagnosed with this condition for about 1
year. I noticed this condition after
coming back from a 3 week business trip in
europe. During that time I was exposed to
the sun quite often, but in the past I
have never sun burn or exhibited any
rashes or redness. Once I came back to
the united states, it took me about a
month before I realized the sun was
causing my hives and rashes. Till this
day it is still annoying and I totally
empathize with everyone else who has had
to make dramatic lifestyle adjustments to
accomodate this condition. There are
couple of remedies which I have found and
exploring.
1. Allegra - this has given ease to my
condition. Instead of burning within the
first 10 minutes, this medication gives me
almost a full hour or two of intense sun
rays beaming down on my skin before I
start to exhibit rashes and hives. This
medication delays the effects and varies
between each person.
2. Atarax - this medication is stronger
than allegra, however it also has side
effects including dizziness, sleepiness,
etc. I've never tried it, but the doctor
said it would be the next step
3. Solbar spf 50 (www.Coolibar.Com) i've
been told by 2 dermatologists that this is
a highly recommended sunscreen for people
with skin conditions such as solar
urticaria. I'm not sure of its efficacy,
but i've ordered a couple bottles and plan
on trying it out.
4. Chinese herbs - http://www.Herb
china2000.Com/therapies/lrd.Shtml this
remedy I have tried, but did not finish
the full regiment as prescribed. I must
say, you have to be completely disciplined
and patient if you want to see results. I
saw partial results, but I think it takes
time to see the full benefits. Although
quite costly, it is worth a shot if the
skin condition is bothering you
considerably. This method will cure the
condition, unlike the band-aid solution
modern medicine offers.
Right now I try to cover up as much as
possible when out in the sun. I find that
areas of my body which are more white than
tanned seem to be the first place my
rashes occur. My dermatologist also said
that tanned areas of the skin "harden" the
skin and cause it not to hive up as
easily.
Anyways, those are my thoughts. If anyone
knows of anything better or if there is
home remedy, please post. Thanks!
- j
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Cindy3
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 12
Posted: 07-04-04 14:28pm
Hi everyone
i was surprised to see so many posts. I
was supposed to be notified when anyone
replied, but for some reason that didn't
happen.
I went on vacation(still in virginia) to
the mountains a couple of weeks ago and I
didn't get hives. I didn't wear shorts,
but my neck and upper arms did not have a
reaction. I just wish that I could have
stayed longer.
When I got back home I put on shorts and
went outside and guess what?
Hives!!!!!
I tried atarax with no success, hope it
works better for you.
Will check back more often now that I know
there are others who understand what i'm
going through.
Maybe we can help each other.
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kevin wilkerson
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 1 Location: london uk
Suggested Help For Solar Urticaria Posted: 07-11-04 10:20am
Hello to all,
i have solar urticaria for about 6 years
and it was triggered by a weed killer for
the grass. I have been to leading
hospitals in london uk and to nyu in new
york.I am allergic to all band widths of
uva/uvb and clear light.
I also get analphaltic fits (not sure on
spelling) which can be very scarry. I
have tried all the anti histamines that
there are with no effect.
The only sunblock that really works and I
have tried hundreds is one called.
Spectraban ultra and is produced by
stiefel laboratories in the uk. This
cream gives me total protection even in
death valley.Its great and enables me to
go outside. As I burn in very cloudy
conditions within a few seconds.
Also a great brand of clothing to wear is
called solumbra a usa company which offers
total protection.
Any help from any body would be greatly
received.I have recently read about fexo
fenadine as a treatment but have to find
out more.
Lets all keep talking as this may be the
only way to find a cure.
<-- my face in the sun
i'm also going to
try zinc oxide sunscreen and beta carotene
supplements.
the doctor that
promised me a remedy has found nothing
helpful so far, but he is determined. I'm
keeping my fingers crossed, till then i'm
wearing dark long-sleeved shirts and
keeping a stash of itch-x in my purse 