Does time in the sun result in an itchy, bumpy rash? Maybe you are allergic to the sun. Have you heard of PMLE? Because that just might be your issue.
I say that because that’s my issue.
Let me remind you that I live in Wisconsin. After a snowy, cold, it-gets-dark-too-early winter that just won’t end, there’s nothing I look forward to more that those warm, sunny spring days.
Spring around here is a breath of fresh air – literally! There’s something about the moderate temps, and budding life and sunshine that lift my spirits like nothing else can. But with that long awaited sun and warmth, comes rashes, bumps and itchiness that plagues me until mid summer.
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My Story
For the last five or so years, every spring I get the same itchy, bumpy rash every spring. It took me some time, but finally attributed it to the sun. That was the only correlation between the years. As soon as I start spending time in the sun, within a matter of hours I start to itch.
Just a half hour lunch break outside is enough to trigger a reaction.
First the rash. Then little bumps that look like tiny fluid filled pimples. And if I continued to itch, I’d make myself bleed. Gross, eh?
I have some days where the reaction seems almost immediate. Though it’s possible it’s just the compound effect from being in the sun the day before.
Looking back, I do think this is something I’ve had for more than 5 years. It’s just that my reaction wasn’t as severe – and after just a couple of sun exposures my skin was acclimated.
As the years have gone by, my reaction is more severe and it now takes half of summer to get acclimated. Ugh, getting older is a b*tch.
Although I have never been diagnosed, numerous internet searches led me back to Polymorphous Light Eruption, or PMLE.
The location, timing and rash description was a match with what I dealt with each spring.
Symptoms of PMLE
- Rash located at the “V” of the neck, back of the hands, and outside surface of the arms.
Occurs in the spring of temperate climate residents.
- Produces an itchy or burning rash within the first two hours after sun exposure.
- May also develop small fluid-filled blister.
***I will absolutely add pics of my arms when the season is here!***
Update: Picture added below of a June 2019 rash on my chest.
What is Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE)?
PMLE is a relatively common skin reaction to people who are photosensitive – that is, sensitive to sunlight (ultraviolet light). About 10% to 15% of the population and far more women than men are affected.
It isn’t well understood, but simply put, people who react are usually allergic to the UVA rays, while UVB rays are what cause sunburn and premature aging.
It can appear suddenly, after years without an issue. That’s what happened to me. It is also thought to run in families, although I don’t know of anyone in mine who deals with this concern.
PMLE is not dangerous or contagious. Just irritating and unsightly.
You can’t make it go away, but you can help minimize the reactions.
How to you cure PMLE?
Ok, so here’s why I say I only “kinda” found the answer to my problem. You can’t cure PMLE. It’s about treating the symptoms or better yet, prevention.
But unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of information out there. Just avoiding the sun isn’t a solution for me after a long, cold Wisconsin winter. My body needs some Vitamin D something bad! And I’d rather not lather up an unsightly rash in hydrocortisone.
So the next option? How about a sunscreen or cream that allows me to enjoy the sun AND prevents the rash? But that’s where the problem lies. There’s not a lot of options on the market. And what is known, is because of fellow suffers who found relief by trial and error.
Read on to find out how I prevent and treat my PMLE rashes.
How to Prevent PMLE Rashes
In my research, the best bet is prevention.
Cover up: Wear tops that cover your arms and chest, the areas most susceptible to rashes.
Avoid the sun between 10a and 2p: This is the time when the sun’s rays are the most intense.
Phototherapy: Done in a doctor’s office, you’ll be exposed to small amounts of UVA or UVB light in an attempt to let your body become accustomed to the rays, just as they would in the outdoors, but in a controlled environment.
Certain Sunscreens: Look for sunscreens with avobenzone or zinc oxide. And make sure it’s Broad Spectrum (blocks the UVA rays).
I found a few good contenders…
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch:
This is the first sunscreen I tried and it works for me.
Pros: The thin bottle allows me to easily put this in my purse. It’s affordable and available almost anywhere you would find sunscreen for sale.
Cons: Contains chemicals known to cause hormone disruptions and cell damage that may provoke cancer.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios:
I own but have yet to use. Do you have experience with this brand?
Pros: Good reviews.
Cons: A bit clunkier of a bottle. Quite pricey. It’s also harder to find, though I’ve spotted some La Roche Posay products at Walgreens. Also contains chemicals known to disrupt hormones.
Piz Buin:
I do not own and have not used, but would love to know if others have and their thoughts!
Pros: Specifically made for sun allergy.
Cons: Not readily available in the U.S. It’s available on Amazon with good reviews. A bit on the pricey side.
Alba Botanicals:
A new purchase for me. I have previously been a fan of how easy sprays apply. So might be a good avobenzene-containing option.
Alba Botanicals is also a brand found where you’d buy sunscreens.
Treatment for PMLE Rashes
If you forgot to apply sunscreen. Or just learned what your rash is, it’s ok. There are a few post-rash options for you.
Antihisthimine:
Try an over the counter diphenhydramine HCl like Benadryl.
Cold Compress:
A cold washcloth will provide some relief to itchy, warm skin.
Hydrocortisone:
Any hydrocortisone cream or ointment will do.
An over-the-counter brand will top out at 1%. If you are looking for something stronger (such as my big ‘ole tub you see pictured) you’ll need to get a prescription from a doctor. That runs at 2.5%.
Aloe Vera Gel:
Soothing and hydrating, aloe vera is a go-to for sun drenched skin.
After several years of PMLE symptoms and prevention trials, I’m still looking for the perfect solution.
Do you suffer from PMLE? What are your go-to products for relief? Share with us your solutions!
I’m a little bit crafty, a diy-er, a thrifter, a lover of craft IPAs and probably swear a tad too much. I’ve been living with anxiety since high school and learned a lot along the way. Just trying to live my life simple. And sane. Welcome to my corner of the web!
Just trying to keep my life simple, and sane, as I navigate a life living with anxiety. Sprinkled throughout, you'll find tips and ideas about finances, parenting, home and health.
Ahh, thanks for this article! So nice to not feel so alone with such a ridiculous condition. As a fellow PMLE-er I HATE that the only solution offered is always simply: avoid the sun. I say ‘simply’. I mean, it’s THE SUN.
But obviously I do, because the alternative is awful.
As for products – I didn’t rate the Piz Buin Allergy stuff when I first tried it (about a decade ago now) – didn’t seem to make any difference, was just pricier. And I’ve found nothing since that stops the rash from occurring (I feel like a really strong UVA chemical block should exist, but I haven’t found it yet!!) or that makes it go away afterwards any quicker than just leaving it would be.
So this is really unhelpful, but I mostly wanted to say I feel ya. It’s tough. On the (small) plus side I’m hopeful we’ll end up with really youthful skin as we age, from all the harmful rays we are forced to avoid… 🙂
I like the way you think – youthful skin for years!
Hi so I’ve also been going through this. It started out of nowhere and progressed over the years. I’m down to 5 minutes tops in the sun before breaking out. I hate the feeling of sunscreens. I wear uv50 shirts, long sleeve mainly, also found that bare essentials make up seems to work a little . I break out everywhere the sun touches so it’s miserable since I love to go hiking. Hopefully the find a more permanent cure.
I as well suffer from pmle, and my kids do too 🙁 a quick remedy is white vinegar! Dab the area with a cloth soaked in vinegar, the alkalinity will dull the itch! Next, la Roche posay is an amazing sunscreen! Use it if you suffer from pmle! My doc. Told me that you can outgrow the pmle rash but so far I have not after 15 years 🙁
Ooh, I’ve never tried vinegar for the itch. I love ACV for so many other things, I’ll have to give it a go with white!
Thanks for the recommendation!
I started getting PMLE in my 20s and I am happy to say that around 45 years it went away completely. I am 55 years old now and happily enjoying my time in the sun. 😊
I started suffering from PMLE on the top of my arms and chest when I was about 18 years old. I live in England and so it is not really an issue when I’m here, but it is when i go away, particularly because I am a sun worshipper when on holiday! I have done lots of research over the years and I agree prevention is key. For me taking an antihistamine once a day for approx two weeks before I go away and whilst I’m away helps massively. I also use a cream called Shirudo AGR+E (pricey but worth it) which I apply before my suncream, and then I use Piz Buin. I’ve been doing this for about 3-4 years now and I’ve not had PMLE . I occasionally get a small red patch on my arms where the rash is trying to come through, but as soon as that appears I keep cool in the pool for an hour or so! Hope this helps!
I live in England so only usually a problem when I go on holiday but I have found taking antihistamine tablets called Fexofenadine 120 stop it completely! Might not be the answer for those who have to deal with the sun for months at a time though.
Thank you for this information. I starting getting this 2 summers ago and had no idea what it was. Fast forward to today, I broke out in a rash 2 days ago. I was sitting working on my computer on my deck. The rash is on my forearms. It is extremely itchy and warm (burning sensation). I use hydro cortisone but it doesn’t help very much or last for very long. I use Gelee from Arbonne and that helps to cool the rash and hydrate the skin. I am looking for relief and prevention information. Since nice weather just started here in Buffalo I Know I do not want to suffer with this for the next few months.
I’ve had PMLE my entire life! It’s has Of course gotten worse and I am approaching 40! Mine is quite severe and happens within 5 minutes of sun expose and has gotten to the point of me getting skin biopsies one per year 😔. My doctor has prescribed a steroid cream to help with the rashes which helps a bit bur, prevention is a much better option! Elta sunblocks have been a good option for me. When I do get exposed I use alcohol to dry out the tiny blisters and alternate between hydrocortisone and the the steroid cream. A misconception is that this happens to those with fair skin. I am biracial and none of family members have a sun issue. Not even my Snow White mom! I hate the smell of vinegar but. I’m to give it a try. Thank you for your post!!
I have had PMLE for approximately 12 years. My dermatologist told me to take Heliocare (available are Walgreens) It definitely has helped me. You just have to remember to take it consistently and always get it in your system prior to going out in the sun. Hope this helps.
My first bout also started at 18! Since then, I’ve had it on and off and I’m going to be 41 this year. I happened to marry a man who had previously experienced skin cancer, so we are super careful about being outside without protection- most of the time. Antihistamines never really do much for me, but blue lizard and other mineral/zinc oxide-based sunscreens are the only ones that work for me. And I’ve tried everything- I mean everything- else! As much as I hate it, I do think it’s a good (forced?) way to protect our skin! Hoping we all stay relatively itch free this season!!