Life-giving sun

I learned early on how important the sun is - without it there would be no life on Earth.

So no life on Earth, huh? That means us, right? So why does the sun get such a bad rap? I hear that we need exposure to the sun to produces Vitamin D, and we need that vitamin D to promote bone health. Plus it improves mood.

So if we're outside getting the sunlight and fresh air that our bodies and minds so dearly need, what happens if we stay out a little too long and we find that we start to feel bad. Could it be an allergy to the sun??.... It's possible. As I started to do the research to find out more about sun allergies, I thought I'd include some pictures of what these different reactions look like. Well, I changed my mind after spending about 10 minutes looking at some pretty messed up skin. I'll let you click on the links below- if you've got the stomach for it!

Here are a couple different types of sun allergies - Polymorphous Light Eruption, Actinic Prurigo, Chronic Actinic Dermatitis, Solar urticaria and Photoallergic Eruption.

Since Polymorphous Light Eruption is the most common and least severe of the three, I'll start there. It usually occurs during the early stages of summer after just a few hours of sun exposure. It's caused by the UVA and/or UVB rays and takes the shape of an itchy, red rash on the skin. It's sometimes also referred to as sun poisoning.

Next up is Actinic Prurigo. These symptoms include red, raised patches of skin and itchy bumps that may extend onto the skin that wasn't exposed to sunlight. Fluid filled bumps form and crack open. Actinic prurigo often causes chapped and split lips, and can affect the cheeks, neck, ears, arms and hands. In some people, actinic prurigo leaves scars. Symptoms generally start in the summer months and improve by late autumn.

Another type of allergy is Chronic Actinic Dermatitis, which can cause thick patches of dry, itchy and inflamed skin on the face, scalp, back and sides of the neck, upper chest, and backs of the arms and hands. Large affected areas may have areas of exposed skin that aren't affected.

Fourth in line is Solar Urticaria, whose symptoms start within minutes of exposure to sunlight and can include hives, itching and blisters. Solar urticaria can affect both exposed areas and areas covered by clothes. It occurs most often in older adults. Symptoms usually improve within an hour after covering exposed skin.

Finally a Photoallergic Reaction is caused by a chemical reaction of sun's rays and a sunscreen or the makeup brand which doesn't suit your skin type. Usually a rash will occur on the skin.

Now, I'm sure you're asking yourself - can Lucidia help? And the answer is yes to a certain degree. It will help internally to calm the release of histamines, but when you've got a sunburn, what you're longing for most is to soothe your skin. So try this home remedy... take a cucumber and mash it up to create a paste and apply it to the irritated area. You should feel it cool your skin within minutes. Best of luck to you this summer and don't forget your SUNSCREEN!

Thanks to the Mayo Clinic for helping me find out more about sun allergies.