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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Rashes On The Arms After Exposure To The Sunlight?

Hi, I am 60 years young and this week I was at the pool all day. I usually tan very fast in the sun so my arms stay dark. I have a little olive to my skin. I got a rash on both arms. I thought they were ant bits. Then I broke out more today. Do I have a sun allergy?
Tue, 12 Jul 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
I have gone through your question. You have mentioned that you were in the pool all day and then you got the rash on your arms. Its most likely polymorphic light eruption. It is the development of blisters or bumps on the arms and chest after being exposed to sun continuously for long time. It can be itchy and it can have burning sensation also. It is mostly due to response of your body's immune system to excessive sunlight. It does happen in some people. But there is nothing much to worry about it.
It will resolve by itself in a weeks time.
There are somethings you should do to help it heal:
1. Try to stay out of sun for a week. Exposure to sun will worsen it.
2. Try to apply some over the counter steroid cream like hydrocortisone. It will help in relieving the soreness and pain.
3. Try to take a tablet of chlorpheniramine maleate at night before sleeping for 3 to 4 days. It will help relieve if any itching is present.
4. Observe for a week by following above suggestions. If it doesn't resolve still, go and visit a dermatologist. He might suggest a skin biopsy tom rule out other conditions.
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What Causes Rashes On The Arms After Exposure To The Sunlight?

Hi, I have gone through your question. You have mentioned that you were in the pool all day and then you got the rash on your arms. Its most likely polymorphic light eruption. It is the development of blisters or bumps on the arms and chest after being exposed to sun continuously for long time. It can be itchy and it can have burning sensation also. It is mostly due to response of your body s immune system to excessive sunlight. It does happen in some people. But there is nothing much to worry about it. It will resolve by itself in a weeks time. There are somethings you should do to help it heal: 1. Try to stay out of sun for a week. Exposure to sun will worsen it. 2. Try to apply some over the counter steroid cream like hydrocortisone. It will help in relieving the soreness and pain. 3. Try to take a tablet of chlorpheniramine maleate at night before sleeping for 3 to 4 days. It will help relieve if any itching is present. 4. Observe for a week by following above suggestions. If it doesn t resolve still, go and visit a dermatologist. He might suggest a skin biopsy tom rule out other conditions.