Sun Rash On Skin: Causes, Symptoms, And How To Treat It

Your handy guide to understanding why skin allergies occur and how they feel.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sravya Tipirneni, MBBS, MD DVL

Dr. Sravya Chowdary Tipirneni is a consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist with 7 years of experience and practices at Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru, India. She is a life member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists ... more

Written by Swathi E, Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer Experience: 3 years

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She... more

Edited by Anjali Sayee, Associate Editor Experience: 7 years

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more

Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, Beauty & Lifestyle Writer Experience: 4 years

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global Univers... more

• Oct 19, 2023

Sun Rash On Skin: Causes, Symptoms, And How To Treat It

Image: Shutterstock

Many people develop a rash when they step out into the sun and attribute it to sunburn. What if we told you that the sun rash on your skin could also be due to a sun allergy? Yes, sun allergy rashes are red and itchy and can occur mostly on sun-exposed areas. They may appear whenever you go out in the sun. But, that does not mean you always have to sit indoors. There are several ways to treat and prevent this type of rash.

In this article, we discuss the cause, symptoms, treatments, and how to prevent sun rashes. Keep reading!

Did You Know?

Egyptians used rice bran, lupine, and jasmine extracts as sunscreens due to their ability to absorb sun rays.

In This Article

What Causes Sun Rash?

Woman with sun rashes on her back and arms

Image: Shutterstock

The rash that occurs due to UV radiation is called sun rash or photo allergy. The most common type of sun allergy is a polymorphic light eruptionⁱXA common skin condition that appears as a rash and is brought on by exposure to natural or artificial ultraviolet light. .

As per one report, polymorphic light eruption is more common in Northern Europe (15% in the UK) compared to Australasia (5%). While it affects all skin types, it is more prevalent in lighter skin, particularly in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin phototype 1. Typically, it begins in females aged 20 to 40 years, but it can also start in childhood or later in life. Additionally, more cases of polymorphic light eruption are reported at high altitudes than at sea level.

Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “A sun rash usually appears as tiny red bumps or raised patches of skin, and they may be itching or burning.” Though the exact cause of sun rash is unknown, sensitivity to UV radiation could be responsible for it (1). It may elicit an immune reaction and kick your body into defense mode, leading to skin irritation and subsequent rash formation.

People that are at risk of having an allergic reaction to sunlight are (1):

Light-skinned people.
Women aged between 20 and 40.
People at high altitudes.
People with a family history of sun rash.

Learn about the symptoms of sun rash in the next section.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sun Rash?

Image: Shutterstock

Sun rash can occur several hours or days after sun exposure. The most common symptoms include:

Itchy red patches.
Small bumps or blisters in a cluster.
Raised or rough patches of skin.

In some rare cases, you may experience fever or tiredness. Sun rash can occur anywhere on the body, but it usually appears on the neck, chest, forearms, backs of hands, lower legs, and feet.

Do you want to treat your sun rash at home? Find out the treatment options in the next section.

How To Treat Sun Rash?

Image: Shutterstock

Usually, sun allergy rashes go away after a few days. According to Dr. Haley, “Common treatments for sun rash may include applying a cold compress, using hydrocortisone cream, or taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as cetirizine”

1. Over-The-Counter Products

To get rid of itching and rash quickly, try the following over-the-counter products:

Anti-itch steroid cream
Oral antihistaminesⁱXMedications used to stop or reduce the chemicals that cause various seasonal, indoor, or food allergies.
Pain-relieving medications
Emollients or moisturizers (once the rash starts to heal)

2. Home Remedies

Some of the home remedies you can use to treat sun rash are:

Apply a cold compress on the affected area for 5-10 minutes. Then, remove it and reapply it after 5-10 minutes. Repeat the process to soothe the skin.
Take a shower with cool water to relieve the itching.
Apply aloe vera gel to reduce inflammation. It also has a protective effect against radiation skin damage and, thus, may help you heal quickly (2).

If itching persists, you may consult a doctor who can prescribe stronger medications to relieve the symptoms. For example, anti-allergy medications or corticosteroidsⁱXNatural pigments produced by plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria, which are also found in fruits and vegetables. may help heal your sun rash allergy. Your doctor may also perform phototherapyⁱXThe intentional exposure of skin to natural or artificial light to treat skin conditions brought on by an immune system overreaction. to reduce the occurrence of these chronic rashes.

Though you can treat sun rash fairly easily, they can recur. So, it is important to learn how to keep your skin protected. Read on to learn the ways to prevent sun allergy rash.

Daily Routine To Keep Your Skin Protected

Image: Shutterstock

Incorporating the following routine in your daily life may help you prevent sun rash:

Use sunscreens containing physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as they protect your skin from UV radiation ( 3).
Apply sunscreen with SPF 30+ half an hour before you go out. Reapply it every two hours or sooner if you are sweating too much.
Try to include foods rich in calcium, selenium, zinc, and beta carotene in your diet to protect your skin from UV damage (4).

Wear long-sleeved dresses or shirts or clothes with a UPF
Avoid the sun between 10 am and 2 pm as much as possible as UV radiation is the strongest at this time.
Strictly avoid using tanning beds.

Quick Tip

Wearing a broad-brimmed hat while out in the sun may help protect your skin from a sun rash.

Sometimes, sun rash can mimic symptoms of other ailments and confuse you. For better clarity, continue reading to learn about the different types of sun-induced ailments.

How Is Sun Rash Different From Sunburn And Heat Rash?

While sun exposure is the cause of both sunburn and sun rash, they are not the same.

Sunburn is a radiation burn caused by overexposure to UV light, which results in reddish skin. You may also experience swelling, blisters, skin peeling, fever, chill, or weakness in case of a severe sunburn. Usually, a sunburn heals in a few days. However, the likelihood of developing skin cancer increases with an increase in sunburn incidents (5).

Unlike sunburn and sun rash, heat rash does not occur due to the sun alone. Instead, it occurs due to the sweat glands getting blocked, which causes skin inflammation and rashes. As a result, you may get small blisters or deep lumps that are itchy. These rashes appear on the armpits, elbow creases, or the groin area. In most cases, the rash heals after the skin cools down (6). However, you may need to consult a doctor if the area becomes infected or is too itchy.

If your sun rash does not reduce or recurs despite taking all the precautions, it is time to see a doctor.

When Should You See A Doctor?

Doctor examining sun rash on a patient's shoulder

Image: Shutterstock

Consult a doctor if the itching on your sun rash does not reduce. A doctor can also help you rule out other infections, like contact dermatitis. Expert diagnosis will let you know what kind of sun-induced rash it is.

If you do not have a history of sun rash and suddenly get one, seek immediate medical attention. Also, observe your rash and treat it immediately if it is painful or spreading. You should also be careful if you experience nausea or fever.

Infographic: 5 Tips To Prevent A Sun Rash

You have to take certain precautions to prevent sun rashes and minimize skin sensitivity to UV rays, from limiting sun exposure during peak hours to wearing protective clothing. The key is to shield the skin from direct sunlight. Yet, if you notice any signs of sun rash, like redness or itching, seek shade immediately and apply a cool compress to soothe the affected areas. Check out the infographic below for tips to reduce the risk of sun rash and enjoy outdoor activities with greater comfort and peace of mind.

5 tips to prevent sun rash (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Sun rash is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. It affects people who are hypersensitive to UV light or have sun allergies. The neck, chest, forearms, backs of hands, lower thighs, and feet are the most common areas where sun rash occurs. Depending on the underlying cause, it usually goes away in a few days. Over-the-counter lotions and medicines can be used to treat it. However, consult your doctor if your rash returns despite taking precautions or does not appear to get better with treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Benadryl help with sun rash?

Yes. Benadryl is an antihistamine which may help reduce the redness, itching, and other symptoms of sun rash. Consult your doctor for further information.

What lotion is good for sun rash?

You can use gentle moisturizers or creams containing hydrocortisoneⁱXA topical steroid drug used to relieve swelling, redness, itching, and other discomfort caused by skin conditions. for relief.

Can a sun rash on skin turn into skin cancer?

A sun rash is not a form of skin cancer, however prolonged sun exposure may increase the risk of it. If one has a history of sun rash or any other form of sun damage, monitoring the skin for any changes or abnormalities is crucial. Consult a dermatologist for regular skin checks to be safe.

Can a sun rash on skin spread?

A sun rash is not contagious. However, it can spread to different areas of the body exposed to the sun like the arms, chest, and legs. Wear protective clothing, use sunscreen, seek shade during peak sun hours, apply a cold compress, and take over-the-counter medicines to prevent the sun rash from spreading. If the rash is severe or does not seem to improve with these remedies, consult a dermatologist for treatment.

Key Takeaways

Sun rash occurs due to the continuous exposure of skin to sunlight.
You may experience rough or itchy red patches, small bumps, or blisters.
Use medically prescribed anti-itch steroid creams or apply aloe vera gel to treat this sun allergy. Consult your doctor if the itching on your sun rash does not subside even after using remedies or medications.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Download

Tired of the sun ruining your fun? Watch this video to learn about the symptoms, causes, and effective treatments for sun allergy to stay protected and enjoy the outdoors!

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.