When the sun's rays are the main culprits of allergic reactions, manifested in the form of redness, rashes and swelling, summer becomes much less pleasant. Yulia Gallyamova, an expert in the field of skin care for the Fairy, Ariel and Lenor brands, told us how to return its brightness and keep allergies to the sun under control.
In recent years, doctors have noted an increase in the incidence of photodermatitis, in other words, exposure to allergies to the sun. The manifestations of photodermatitis are similar to ordinary skin irritation: it is accompanied by redness, rash, severe itching, burning sensation, which appear after exposure to the sun. And here the duration does not matter - it all depends on the individual sensitivity. Sometimes the skin begins to peel off, blisters, swelling, and small foci of pustules may appear. As a rule, only open areas of the body are affected - the face, neck, upper chest, shoulders, and the back of the hands.
Interestingly, the sun's rays themselves are not allergens - they only provoke skin reactions. So why do some people develop an increased sensitivity of the body to the action of ultraviolet radiation (scientifically - "photosensitization"), while others do not?
What can cause sun allergies?
In most cases, an increase in the number of visits to a dermatologist with this problem is associated with the use of drugs. The presence of certain substances in the blood during exposure to the sun triggers a cascade of characteristic photochemical reactions in the skin. In this case, an allergic reaction can develop both when applying creams to the skin, and when taking medications inside. Many drug labels tell you if a particular drug can cause your skin to become sensitive to UV light. For example, very often the skin suffers from the sun when using oral contraceptives.
However, do not forget about other triggers that contribute to the development of allergies to the sun, including increased sensitivity to its rays. First of all, these include cosmetics, perfumes and household chemicals - products that are constantly in direct contact with the skin. Both decorative and care cosmetics can be quite aggressive, and natural ingredients in their composition are not at all a guarantee of safety when it comes to allergies (read also: "Caution: cosmetics that are dangerous to use in summer"). Natural acids, wax, propolis and many other popular cosmetic ingredients are the strongest allergens. With natural oils and folk beauty recipes from improvised homemade ingredients (honey, lemon juice, milk, eggs, herbs, vegetables, fruits, etc.)) you also need to be extremely careful.
When it comes to household chemicals, especially dishwashing detergents, it is very important to choose products that are marked “dermatologically tested”. It means the formulation is safe when used regularly in hard water, which is known to dry and dehydrate hand skin. It is best to use dishwashing detergents with natural essential oils or without any fragrances or dyes, such as baby dishwashing detergents. When choosing them, you should pay attention to those that are approved by the Skin Health Alliance - the international organization for the control of skin health, or the European Center for Allergy Research (ECARF).
Fortunately, the elimination of the allergen in most cases leads to a decrease in the intensity of dermatitis, but sometimes it can continue in the form of short-term exacerbations.
How to protect the skin from photodermatitis?
In order to protect the skin from the damaging effects of sunlight, several rules must be followed:
- Try not to wear perfume or dye on sunny days.
- If you are taking any medication, check with your doctor to make sure it does not sensitize your skin to the sun. If necessary, discuss the possibility of changing the drug.
- When buying any products that come into direct contact with your skin, pay attention to product certification, that is, approval by dermatologists and allergists.
About the expert:
Yulia Albertovna Gallyamova
Photo: Getty Images
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