According to the symptoms you describe
(red spots and irritation when exposed to
sun) you are probably experiencing some
kind of photodermatosis. There are several
types of photodermatoses:
1. Photo-TRAUMATIC dermatoses. This
condition is due to the direct physical
action of sunlight on the skin. It depends
upon the combintation of 3 factors:
genetically determined skin type, sunlight
strength and duration of exposure. Acute
affection can cause inflammation
(dermatitis solaris); chronic affection
can cause degeneration of the skin;
2. Photo-TOXIC dermatoses. This condition
is attributed to the common action of
sunlight in combination with a
photo-sensibilizating substance applied
locally to the skin. Sensibilization in
this case is not an allergic reaction
(there are no immunological mechanisms
present). For example, berloque dermatitis
(when the substance is cosmetics) and
phytophotodermatitis (when the substance
is a plant derivitative) belong to this
group.
3. Photo-ALLERGIC dermatoses. In this
case, immunological mechanisms (allergic
reaction) are included in the pathogenesis
in combination with the presence of
sunlight and a photosenzibilizator.
Photoalergic dermatitis in its acute form
is a part of this group of dermatoses. The
photosensibilizating substance (allergen)
first stimulates an immunologicaly
sensitive reaction in the body (allergy).
Then, the next contact with the particular
substance + sunlight, can cause skin
lesions to occur. Contact with the
allergen can happen through the skin,
through food, or by injection;
4. DYSMETABOLIC photodermatoses. This type
of dermatosis can be caused by an enzyme
deficit due to a genetic defect (like
porphyries), or lack of a particular
vitamin (pellagra for instance);
5. Photodermatoses can exist with UNKNOWN
ETIOLOGIES. The most common type of
unknown dermatosis is called "polymorphic
light eruption." This condition stimulates
immunological mechanisms but an allergen
is not indentified. Urticaria solaris and
hidroa aestvalia are other representatives
from this group.
You can request photo-epicutaneus tests to
identify possible photosensibilizating
substances (allergen). Treatment always
includes avoiding both the allergen (if
found) and sunlight. You can consult a
dermatologist about further diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures.
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