Sun Burnt. Itchy Pimples Over Forearms, Reddened And Getting Worse. Is It Psoriasis Or Eczema?

Posted on Sun, 29 Jan 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 Answered on

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I started last summer after a sunburn with small,itchy pimple-like things all over my forearms that never really went away. Now it has turned into raised,reddened,itchy welts on my forearms...What is this and what can I do? I know it is not psoriasis (I don't think as it is not white/scaley), or possibly eczema.Sometimes gets itchier when clothes touch or sun/heat (hot water).

Answered by Dr. P V S Prasad (19 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for posting your query.

Your problem looks like you are suffering from polymorphic light eruption. This may appear as flat lesions called macules or raised lesions like plaques. Scaling may not be there. Lesions are very itchy when exposed to sun light. The disease can be confirmed by doing a skin biopsy.
You may try broad spectrum sun screens frequently in the day time to be used between 10 am to 4 pm.

At night, use mild potent corticosteroids like mometasone.

Take atarax or hydroxyzine tablet at night to alleviate itching. You need a doctor’s prescription for this.

If you are not better in two months your doctor may start you on oral sun screens after an eye checkup.

Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards,
Prasad pvs

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E