Reply #219: I am allergic to the sun

[Mabus]

And no, I'm not joking. I feel like a mole person or a vampire who is afraid of sunlight. I have actinic prurigo, an hereditary form of pmle (polymorphous light eruptions) that is more common among those with American Indian populations (I am half-American Indian). Every spring I have to harden off my skin slowly so I can spend time outside (try explaining that to fellow protesters who think you're slacking off or joking). Otherwise I have small, red bumps that itch like mad and appear most often on any skin exposed to sunlight but especially my face. Some years are worse than others and I have had years where I developed blisters and bleeding under the skin. There have been some years when I have little to no problems at all.

I wasn't diagnosed until a few years ago when I did some research on the internet and found the InteliHealth website (see excerpt below). I copied the information and took it to my doctor and after testing the diagnosis was confirmed. So, if someone says they are allergic to cold weather, I'm not going to dismiss it so quickly.

According to InteliHealth, which explains it better than I ever could:

A sun allergy is an immune system reaction to sunlight, most often, an itchy red rash. The most common locations include the "V" of the neck, the back of the hands, the outside surface of the arms and the lower legs. In rare cases, the skin reaction may be more severe, producing hives or small blisters that may even spread to skin in clothed areas.

Sun allergies are triggered by changes that occur in sun-exposed skin. It is not clear why the body develops this reaction. However, the immune system recognizes some components of the sun-altered skin as "foreign," and the body activates its immune defenses against them. This produces an allergic reaction that takes the form of a rash, tiny blisters or, rarely, some other type of skin eruption.

More at: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10710.html