Hi everyone,
I've decided to write a blog on how I tackle my sun allergy because there doesn't seem to be a lot of help out there. Google only seems to come up with this condition from a medical point of view, but what about the sufferer? The only thing I want to read about is treatments or a cure. I understand that there are different types of sun allergies out there and that I can only comment on my experience, but I would love to spare even one person, the pain and costs of trying out all the wrong strategies I have written off over the years.
I recently had a severe reaction on my face that lasted months, here in Manchester, one of the most sun-deprived cities in the world. I had no idea that my sun allergy would rear it's ugly head at home here in the UK. I remember feeling so low. I know beauty isn't skin deep but my confidence took a good knocking. I basically lived like a hermit, and was scared of seeing anyone, even friends. I am lucky that I worked with my family because there is no way I would have been brave enough to face people everyday at work, even with a face full of make-up. I've been through multiple GP visits (useless!), dermatology appointments at Salford Royal plus many tears to actually find some products that work for me.
I recently had a severe reaction on my face that lasted months, here in Manchester, one of the most sun-deprived cities in the world. I had no idea that my sun allergy would rear it's ugly head at home here in the UK. I remember feeling so low. I know beauty isn't skin deep but my confidence took a good knocking. I basically lived like a hermit, and was scared of seeing anyone, even friends. I am lucky that I worked with my family because there is no way I would have been brave enough to face people everyday at work, even with a face full of make-up. I've been through multiple GP visits (useless!), dermatology appointments at Salford Royal plus many tears to actually find some products that work for me.
I'm 32 and have had a sun allergy since I was 26 (I read somewhere that this is the average age this type of sun allergies happen: Oh great! I'm a statistic). It started on a trip to Hong Kong where my face and arms erupted in red blister-like lumps. I paid a fortune to see a private doctor, who I remember was called Dr. Tommy, but he could only confirm it was an allergic reaction. Although he did mention sun allergy, which is the first time I'd even heard of such an affliction.
I finally deduced it was a sun allergy myself after a couple more holidays, one of which was Miami, where I was forced to hide my Michelin man arms in the blistering heat. At this point, I was referred to hospital for testing. They did various tests including photo-testing my skin and patch-testing my back. In the end all they seemed to be able to do is confirm it was a sun allergy (?!). My hope for a magical cure was shattered. Their advice was all based around avoidance: keep out of the sun, cover up and wear sunscreen. Living in the UK helps, but my recent skin reactions have made me realise that avoidance is no longer a solution.
It is now up to me to figure out what the best products are to use to get my life back. Wearing sunscreen is the only way I can live normally but, just as an added bonus, I also have an additional problem. My face is highly sensitive to almost all creams, so finding a sunscreen that works for me is still an ongoing battle. I've actually read many comments on sunscreen review pages where people are also allergic to many of the brands on the high street so I hope I can help others with the products I test in my future blogs. Don't give up hope!
I finally deduced it was a sun allergy myself after a couple more holidays, one of which was Miami, where I was forced to hide my Michelin man arms in the blistering heat. At this point, I was referred to hospital for testing. They did various tests including photo-testing my skin and patch-testing my back. In the end all they seemed to be able to do is confirm it was a sun allergy (?!). My hope for a magical cure was shattered. Their advice was all based around avoidance: keep out of the sun, cover up and wear sunscreen. Living in the UK helps, but my recent skin reactions have made me realise that avoidance is no longer a solution.
It is now up to me to figure out what the best products are to use to get my life back. Wearing sunscreen is the only way I can live normally but, just as an added bonus, I also have an additional problem. My face is highly sensitive to almost all creams, so finding a sunscreen that works for me is still an ongoing battle. I've actually read many comments on sunscreen review pages where people are also allergic to many of the brands on the high street so I hope I can help others with the products I test in my future blogs. Don't give up hope!
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