Sun rash

[ItsGoTime!]

Hi. My wife gets these rashes on her arm when she is in the sun too long. She gets them every summer (we live in Vancouver). Usually not too big a deal, but we are moving to O'ahu soon, so she will have to deal with these rashes year round. The rashes are not too severe, they don't blister, they only bleed when she gets crazy during scratching. A little googling suggests that she may have a sun allergy. Does anyone here experience something similar? If so, how do you treat it? Cortisone cream doesn't work, and neither does aloe. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[Mike_Lowery]

Tried calamine yet? Long sleeves or shade would work fine too. :D

[Da Rolling Eye]

You're going to have to find yourselves a doctor anyways, once you move here. Might as well make your first visit to see what a doctor recommends.:)

[1stwahine]

You need a Rx for fougera Hydrocortisone Cream USP, 2.5%

It's great on Rashes!:)

Auntie Lynn

[Smudge]

I've suffered from the same thing for years and it can be such a drag, however I've found it's definitely improved by doing the following:

I take anti histamine tablets every day in the summer (I need them anyway as I get hay fever)

Use a hypo allergenic sun screen which has high UVA and UVB protection. You're looking for the type that has an SPF factor of at least 15 and also at least 4 stars (5 is the highest) for UVA protection - apparently it's lack of UVA screen in many sunscreens that can contribute to the problem.

If a rash does appear I have a prescription for a hydrocortisone cream. This doesn't work particularly quickly, but it does reduce the itchiness

Always cover up arms in the heat of the day. I've got a couple of loose, light cotton shirts that are great. I've been to Hawaii twice in the last 4 years and not had any problems at all.

Off on holiday for a week now in rainy old UK so guess I don't have to worry too much about sun rash ;)

Best of luck with it.

Regards, Smudge

[ItsGoTime!]

Thanks for the info. Haven't tried calamine yet Mike, will try it next. Hydrocortisone doesn't work, and it only seems to make the skin drier. I will also look into the UVA protection on sunscreen. All I ever really look at is SPF, but since I don't sunburn easily, I usually don't even care. Anyways, good stuff, keep it coming.

[craigwatanabe]

I agree with Smudge. Try anti-histamines. Calamine is a topical treatment but a good anti-histamine like Dristorol works inside the body before the rash becomes apparent.

My wife uses it on my kids when they get an ant bite or stung by a bee as it's an allergic reaction. Works great!