Sun Poisoning Rash

Sun poisoning rash

Sun poisoning rash sometimes affects people who spend their winter vacations in sunny places. With each exposure, photosensitivity decreases, so eruptions usually disappear in late summer. However, inflammation may reappear the following spring, at the first exposure to the sun.

Sun poisoning rash affects all races but is most common among people with light skin who live in the Nordic countries. Although it can occur at any age, sun poisoning rash usually occurs more frequently around the age of 30.


If a rash occurs after brief exposure to sun, go to your doctor. This may confirm the diagnosis of sun poisoning rash and the doctor needs to establish a treatment plan for prevention of further eruptions.
Also, ask your doctor’s advice if the sun poisoning rash:

- Covers large portions of the body;
- Is accompanied by high fever and intense pain;
- Forms blisters or bubbles;
- Continue to occur even when you avoid sun exposure;
- Appears after taking certain medications such as antihypertensive or anti-inflammatory drugs.


No treatment is required for sun poisoning rash because the rash resolves on its own in 7 to 10 days. To reduce the rash and prevent future episodes, recommended sun protection measures are: limiting sun exposure, use of photo protection creams, wearing protective clothing. Self-protection measures, the use of anti-inflammatory creams to be used without medical prescription, may help soothe skin and relieve itching and discomfort.

If preventive measures are not effective and continue to have solar reactions, your doctor may prescribe a treatment such as corticosteroid creams to reduce sun poisoning rash.

To reduce inflammation and itching, and to relieve inflamed skin, we recommend the following measures of home care:

- The administration of drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen for several days, according to the prospectus, to the disappearance of solar rush and inflammation.

- Apply to the affected areas antipruritic creams or lotions. Hydrocortisone creams that do not require a prescription, contain at least 1% hydrocortisone, and can temporarily relieve itching.

- Apply cold compresses, such as a towel soaked in tap water on the affected areas with cool water or shower.

- We recommend leaving bubbles intact for speeding healing and prevent infection.


- Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm Because solar radiation is stronger at this time, try to reschedule the activities that take place outdoors for other times of the day. If you can not avoid these activities, it is recommended to limit time spent outdoors in these periods.

- Use photo protection lotion. Before sun exposure, we recommend applying a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15. To identify creams that protect against UVA, the cream should be labeled the term "broad spectrum".

- Use of protective clothing, that cover arms and legs. You can also consider wearing clothing specifically designed against sunlight.

- Phototherapy-constant exposure to sun, short, over some weeks, may prevent flares that might occur before a holiday in winter or spring before the season.