Anyone here with sun sensitivity?

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 22, 2012 12:34 pm

I've been dealing with itchy, bumpy pink rashes on my neck, chest and upper back since January. I initially made them go away with Rx steroid creams, but they come back on and off. Lately, they are only coming back where there is sun exposure. Even late afternoon sun is enough to make it worse. I got a full rheumatology work-up, fearing I had Dermatomyositis, but the muscle enzymes were normal. I still have sky-kigh autoantibodies. So I'm wondering, can sun sensitivity in select places be a side-effect of MC? Is it mast-cell related? How come I easily tan on my legs and arms with no discomfort, but any sun on my neck, shoulders and chest leaves me pink, dotted and itchy?? I just bought a big floppy sun hat to wear to my kids' baseball games. So embarrassing.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Tue May 22, 2012 12:49 pm

Zizzle, I have some issues with sun, and have been wearing a sunhat for years now although I loathe it. You have a positive ANA don't you? That always brings dire warnings of sun exposure.

My rashes were always on the upper body and face. Why? No idea.

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Tue May 22, 2012 1:04 pm

Why this happens is a mystery, but my sister has the same symptoms with sun. Weird.

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Tue May 22, 2012 1:32 pm

I have sun sensitivity. It's worse in the spring and gets better as the season progresses. I break out in red itchy bumps on any exposed surface, so especially arms and scalp. I wear a lot of long sleeves and pants even in warm weather. I have researched it and it seems to be called polymorphous light eruption.

Jean

Post by **tex** » Tue May 22, 2012 1:57 pm

Zizzle,

IMO, your rash is mast cell-related. I base this on the observation that face, neck and trunk rashes and flushes are associated with anaphylactic reactions, thus they are caused by mast cell degranulation, and yes, this can be caused by photosensitivity, among other possibilities.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:28 pm

Jean,
I do have classic signs of polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), thanks for mentioning it. Ironically, it is caused by lymphocyte infiltration of the skin!! Seems I have out-of-control lymphocytes all over the place!!! Is that related to mast cell activation?

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:31 pm

Zizzle wrote:Jean,
I do have classic signs of polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), thanks for mentioning it. Ironically, it is caused by lymphocyte infiltration of the skin!! Seems I have out-of-control lymphocytes all over the place!!! Is that related to mast cell activation?

Zizzle,

What does that mean "Lymphocyte infiltration of the skin"? I have mentioned my sun sensitivity casually to my pcp and as far as I can tell she has just ignored me. I haven't pursued it further than doing my own research on the internet.

Jean

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:38 pm

Lymphocytes are the same immune cells that invaded my colonic mucosa, leading to the lymphocytic colitis diagnosis. This suggests an autoimmune component to PMLE. This is the article I read about it. Seems there are some natural things I can try before resorting to steroid creams. And I'm not sure I want to visit a dermatologist just yet. We'll see how uncomfortable I get as summer wears on, or if it improves.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1119686-overview

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Tue May 22, 2012 3:18 pm

Thanks Zizzle. I have always wondered if the various strange things that were wrong with my body were somehow related. Maybe they are.

Jean

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:38 pm

HMMM, interesting. In the last year or so, I notice that when I walk, or work vigorously in the yard, especially in the sun, and especially if it's warm, I flush MUCH more than I used to, and get a little bumpy on the upper chest and face--nothing on the back or lower body. I always use a minimum of 30 SPF. Does anyone know whether increased sun sensitivity is a side effect of Entocort?

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:46 pm

Tex wrote:IMO, your rash is mast cell-related. I base this on the observation that face, neck and trunk rashes and flushes are associated with anaphylactic reactions, thus they are caused by mast cell degranulation, and yes, this can be caused by photosensitivity, among other possibilities.

I have gotten itchy bumps on my scalp and neck the previous two summers after spending time in the sun without a hat. It is a mast cell reaction.

Gloria

Post by **tex** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:52 pm

Zizzle wrote:Seems I have out-of-control lymphocytes all over the place!!! Is that related to mast cell activation?

Yes and no. IOW, it occurs in conjunction with mast cell degranulation, but it's not a product of mast cell degranulation, per se.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:42 pm

I'm sensitive to the sun too. I don't get bumps but do get mildly itchy. This may be part of my worsening seasonal allergies but I do become very uncomfortable in the sun and get a burning feeling on exposed skin without a sunburn. It's hard on my eyes too.

jme22 · Post by **jme22** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:51 pm

Definitely. But not surprising given my MCAS diagnosis.

Started years ago and was thought to be part of my then mixed connective tissue disease diagnosis. The rash hasn't been as bothersome in more recent years, but has been replaced by an overall sensitivity to the sun.

Last summer while at the beach I got violently ill after an hour out in the sun. (With sunscreen and frequent shade breaks.) I was hit with sudden severe nausea, chills, tremors, drop in body temp, hives on face, vomiting and then within a few hours D. I ended up in the ER from that little episode, so this summer I'm living like a vampire....EEEK, the sun!

Fortunately my kids are older now, so I'm a few years past baking in the sun during weekend long softball tournaments. Thank goodness for that...don't think I could survive those events at this point.

Julie

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:09 am

I am definitely sun sensitive and have been since I was burned so bad 25+ years ago. Try to avoid, use sun block and still get the bumpies.

Love, Maggie