Sun Allergies: How to Spot and Manage Sun Allergy So You Can Enjoy the Outdoors

Some people can’t wait to get out into the sunshine and soak up vitamin D, especially after a long winter. But for people with a sun allergy, a sunny day isn’t always a cause for celebration — in some cases, it can be debilitating. Painful, itchy rashes can start within minutes of sun exposure and can last for days. 

Here’s what you should know about sun allergies and how to manage them so you can still enjoy your time outdoors. 

What is a sun allergy?

A sun allergy is not a true allergy to the sun but rather some type of immune reaction that’s triggered by ultraviolet light. It usually presents as an itchy or painful rash that develops after being in the sun. There are a few different types of sun allergy. Here’s a closer look at some of the more common ones.    

Polymorphous light eruption 

Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is the most common type of sun allergy, affecting up to 20% of people. It can happen in any skin tone and at any age, but is most common in fairer skin and women between 20 and 40 years of age. It usually starts hours to a couple of days after sun exposure and is most common during spring months (March to June). 

PMLE usually affects both sides of the body and is common on the:

• Arms

• Neck

• Upper chest

• Lower legs

Solar urticaria

Solar urticaria is an uncommon type of sun allergy. It causes someone to develop hives a few minutes after they’re exposed to the sun or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light. People of any age can get solar urticaria, but the average age to develop it is around 35 years old. Solar urticaria may appear on skin that’s intermittently exposed to the sun (like the back), but doesn’t usually appear on skin chronically exposed to the sun (like the face).   

Actinic prurigo

Actinic prurigo is a very itchy rash that develops hours to days after sun exposure. It can affect all skin tones, but it’s most common in people of Latin American and American Indian descent. It can also affect people of all ages, but 30% of the time it develops in children, especially before puberty. 

Actinic prurigo is common on the following areas of the body:

• Face (like the cheeks, nose, forehead, and lips)

• Earlobes

• Neck and chest

• Conjunctiva of the eye

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What’s the difference between sun allergy and sun sensitivity?

A sun allergy is one type of photodermatosis (a type of rash that develops from sun exposure). It’s different from sun sensitivity (photosensitivity). People with photosensitivity — or sensitivity to the sun — also develop red, painful, and sometimes itchy rashes when they come in contact with sunlight or UV light, but the causes are different. 

Some people are born with medical conditions that make them sensitive to UV light. These conditions are rare but can lead to painful rashes that can scar. People can also develop photosensitivity from medical conditions like:

• Lupus

• Dermatomyositis

• Porphyria

• Psoriasis

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Medications can also trigger photosensitivity. Common medications that make people sensitive to light include:

• Tetracyclines 

• Sulfonamides

• Fluoroquinolones 

• Hydrochlorothiazide

• Metformin

• Griseofulvin

• Retinoids

• St. John’s wort

Certain plants and fruits can also trigger photosensitivity if the extracts or juices are in direct contact with your skin. 

Symptoms of a sun allergy

People with a sun allergy have a sun intolerance that causes an itchy or painful rash. Depending on the type of allergy, you may experience any of the following on sun-exposed skin:

• Crops of tiny bumps that are pink or red (in fairer skin) or skin colored (in darker skin)

• Fluid-filled blisters that can crust over

• Dry, discolored patches

• Pink, red, or skin-colored smooth bumps (welts)

People with solar urticaria who have a large area of skin involved may also notice some of the following symptoms:

• Swelling of the eyes and mouth

• Nausea

• Feeling faint

• Trouble breathing

• Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction (this is very rare)

What does a sun allergy rash look like?

Here are some photos of polymorphous light eruption, one of the most common types of sun allergy rash.

A person has a sun allergy rash on the chest, arms, and hands.

A sun allergy rash with red bumps appears on the neck.

How do you diagnose sun allergies?

Most people can tell they have a sun allergy because they develop a rash within a few minutes of being in sunlight. But sometimes the rash develops a few days later, so the connection isn’t as clear. 

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional  can usually confirm a sun allergy based on your symptoms and what your rash looks like. Sometimes additional testing, like phototesting (a type of allergy test) or skin biopsy are needed to confirm the diagnosis.  

Phototesting

In phototesting, a healthcare professional will shine a light source that gives off UVA and UVB light on a small patch of your skin. If you have a sun allergy, you’ll develop a rash on that part of your skin. 

The test can also tell if you’re sensitive only to a specific wavelength of light. It can also help figure out how long you can stay in sunlight before developing a rash. This information can be very helpful as you plan outings. 

Skin biopsy

If it’s not clear whether your rash is from sunlight exposure, a healthcare professional may recommend a skin biopsy. This lets a pathologist look at a piece of your skin under a microscope to confirm whether your rash is a sun allergy rash or another medical condition. 

How do you treat sun allergies?

The best treatment for sun allergies is to avoid sun exposure (more on that below). Depending on what type of sun allergy you have, here are some treatments that may help:

• Antihistamines 

• Corticosteroids (either pills or creams)

• Omalizumab (a biologic medication)

• Phototherapy (controlled exposure to ultraviolet light to help your skin build tolerance) 

Preventing sun allergies

Sunlight avoidance is the best way to prevent sun allergy. But, of course, that’s impossible. Instead, focus on avoiding too much sun exposure. You can follow these practices:

• Spend less time outdoors on sunny days.

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB light.

• Wear a wide-brim hat to protect your face, ears, and neck.

• Cover your skin with clothing as much as possible when outside. 

• Add UV filters or shades to windows.

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Written by:

Jennifer Sample, MD

After a fellowship, Dr. Sample worked as the medical director at the University of Kansas Hospital Poison Center (The University Of Kansas Health System Poison Control Center), which served the state of Kansas for poison exposures. In 2007, she returned to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, as a consultant in clinical pharmacology and medical toxicology.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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