My Doctor claims I'm allergic to the Sun yet I used to suntan all the time-how can I suddenly develop this?

Question

My skin on my arms is bright red (raw looking) and hot to the touch for days-even weeks after prolonged sun exposure. Usually more on my left arm as I habitually have it on my window when driving long distances whereas my right arm is inside the vehicle. My question is this-how can a middle aged woman suddenly develop a sun allergy and who ever heard of such a thing? (unless you're born with it)

Answer 1

Well if its vitamin D you're after u can buy almost any cereal fortified with it, not to mention the milk, else you're better off staying under a shade tree where direct exposure is limited. The human skin wasn't designed to withstand constant exposure, you'll just end up looking like a catcher's mitt or a purse --- for real.

Yes u CAN develop a sensitivity (or an allergy in your case) to something you've been exposed to your whole life. The best way to explain it is that sometimes your body has just had its fill of something and can't take anymore of it. It's the body's way of protecting you from yourself.

It's a major drag and I feel for you but although its real inconvenient look at it this way, you won't die in extreme pain from cancer and cancer-related illnesses many years before you were ready like my boyfriend's uncle. He was 49 when he died this way, he worked out, cholesterol was low, but hanging his arm out the window of his truck did him in.

This is your wake up call.

Answer 2

ummm that sounds really scary.

I'm not a doctor but seriously this sounds ludicrous!

the sun is our predominant source of vitamin D. not getting enough sun can cause a deficiency. Over exposure to the sun can cause problems though.

I would see a naturopath or at least find another doctor ASAP and depending on what other proffesionals say, i might even report the original doc!

Answer 3

Girl if you avatar is right and you are redheaded then some advice! Stay out of the Sun as much as possible.
And yes after prolonged continious repeated expose to the sun your skin will be sun damaged enough that you will start getting what one doctor called sun poisoning when you burn.

We redheads were not designed for the sun period. !

Answer 4

Yes, it does happen, you can develop allergies over years.

I used to eat prawns and lobster whenever I could, then one day, one prawn almost put me in hospital Been allergic to it ever since. Your body builds up an intolerance to something over a period of years.

So either you have developed an allergy to too much sun, (from suntanning too much) or you have changed your diet, your medication, or something else to cause the change.

For instance, using some herbal medications can cause you to develop your symptoms Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE), can cause Photosensitivity, or Photoallergic eruption.

hope that helps.

Answer 5

i'd get a second opinion.