How to test for sun allergy?

Are you one of those people who dread a sunny day? Do you break out in hives or feel an itchy sensation after prolonged exposure to the sun? Do not fret! You may have a sun allergy, and we can help you test for it. In this article, we’ll provide some essential information on identifying and testing for a sun allergy.

What is Sun Allergy?

Sun allergy, also known as photosensitivity or photodermatitis, is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin irritation when exposed to UV light. It usually shows up within hours of being outside in the sun.

Most people experience mild symptoms such as itchiness, redness and hives. However,some rare cases can result in severe reactions like blistering or swelling that require medical attention.

Types of Sun Allergies

The two most common forms are Polymorphous Light Eruption (PLE) and Solar Urticaria. PLE is characterized by small bumps on the skin caused by exposure to sunlight while solar urticaria presents itself almost immediately with welts appearing on any exposed part of your body.

Here are other types while uncommon:

• Actinic prurigo: itchy rash affecting lips and face
• Photoallergic eruption: appears all over body except face
• Hydroa vacciniforme: fluid-filled nodules develop into scars

In addition, diagnosing a person’s specific form will help determine how best his/her individual case should be treated.

Symptoms of Sun Allergy

As mentioned earlier,sun allergies usually cause itching,burning,painful rashes especially if there’s prior substantial time spent under the hot weather.Here are other symptoms that occur:

1.Bumps,cysts,& pimples appear.

2.A flare-up anytime from minutes-to-hours after being under sunlight

3.Rash(blisters around skin pores),scaling(Dry peeling of a surface) & discolouration(hyper/hypo pigmentation)

4.Thickening(due to scarring),swelling or painful blisters surrounded by sores.

How to Test for Sun Allergy

If you suspect that you have sun allergy or know someone who does, there are a few steps that can be taken to test whether it’s true:

Step 1: Patch Test with UV Light

First,you should expose a small area of skin –around the size of period– and cover the rest. Then ask your doctor/dermatologist/nurse practitioner specially trained in patch testing to apply UV light on exposed areas only while leaving others covered.

                                            OR

### Self-Testing!

In this day of technological advancements, we wouldn’t want our readers left behind. You too as part our community reader deserve ways exclusive information enables you avoid leaving unnecessarily exposing yourself out under hot weather without knowing what will happen next.

Here is an easy self-testing method for sun allergies:

Materials needed:
– Tape
– Aluminum foil or cardboard (the box board type available from boxes packaging).
– Exposure chart (you may download some online).

What To Do With The Materials:

1. Cut two equally-sized pieces (2″x2″ inches)of aluminum/cardboard each

                                                     Or
   

A piece approximately 3inches wide from the top-upper end(lateral edge side going downwards to optical-centre point-in middle)capable of covering nose ridge and below-downward layern part(supra-redial papillary loops )

2.Peer into sunlight every thirty minutes,and mark exact time intervals when rashes,blisters,pimples,cysts etc appear under direct:sunlight;reflected-sunlight.It is usually advisable not being overly cautious,as waiting more than forty eight hours at most,endangers results.

1. Hold one of pieces over an area that usually gets exposed (not on the face). Tape it securely to your skin and remove tape after six hours which may sting a little in addition,remove aluminum/cardboard and expose test site to sunlight for several minutes.

4.Do this for at least three days

5.After you have completed every step, pour time intervals into exposure chart.

6.The dermatologist/nurse practitioner who administer typical UV patchtest will check areas of skin where tests are applied depending after 48-72 hour prior ,as necessary.

Step 2: Blood Test

Blood testing can identify sun allergy through examining the specific proteins produced in response to UV light exposure.This way if you’re too scared or not up for physically/externally trying things out,you could book appointments with labs-professionals competent enough like immunologists,e.t.c ,as they would be able to determine allergic sensitivity(test serum thickness) from following steps taken:

1.Medical history studies

2.Physical examination looking out for signs all sorts of allergies cause as well attendant symptoms thereof such as rash,darkening etc

3.Blood is tested by medical scientist(make sure he runs component-specific tests,i.e,p97 & UVRAG antibody assays)

Step 3: Photopatch Testing

Here,a patch containing diluted substances like fragrances,sunscreen ingredients(e.g.Oxybenzone),etc,normally may kick-off an adverse reaction under influence of sunlight when exposed near immediate surroundings thereby leading to conclude whether there’s been photoallergic reaction;.Moreover,it reinforces self-knowledgeability concerning allergies.If scratching rash/bumps/pimples/dry instead follow-up directions advisedly.

It’s recommended wearing untreated cotton gloves(since plastic/rubber materials produce sores due pushing foreign proteins).

Conclusion

Living with photosensitivity needn’t be hard once one knows what works best for them. Once you follow these easy simple self-testing and professional testing procedures,there will be enough data pool to help determine the extent of your sun allergy and at the same time guide in deciding best treatment practices from a dermatologist/nurse practitioner with specialized knowledge of photosensitivity.

Remember: It is important to check with medical professionals before trying out anything yourself or attempting any unproven remedies as this could result into something getting worse!