People who live in tropical countries, such as Indonesia, may rarely hear about solar urticaria. Solar urticaria is an allergy to sunlight that causes sufferers to not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Although solar urticaria is rarely experienced by people who live in tropical countries, it does not mean that you are not at all at risk of developing this disease. The reason is, in addition to the climate where you live, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of getting solar urticaria.
Causes of Solar Urticaria
The cause of the emergence of solar urticaria is still not known with certainty. However, this condition appears as an allergic reaction to sun exposure. The immune system's response to sunlight is what causes a number of skin symptoms to appear.
Some factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing solar urticaria are:
- Suffering from certain skin diseases, such as dermatitis.
- Using perfumes, disinfectants, and certain chemicals, while doing activities in the sun.
- Taking certain drugs. Some types of drugs, such as the tetracycline class of antibiotics and the painkiller ketoprofen, can cause sunburn more quickly.
- Have a family who suffers from solar urticaria.
Symptoms of Solar Urticaria
When a person has solar urticaria, a red rash, hives, bumps, itching and pain will appear on the area of his skin that is exposed to the sun. However, these symptoms vary, not necessarily the same in every person.
In addition to skin disorders, the following symptoms can also appear when someone has solar urticaria:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Difficult to breathe
- Low blood pressure
Solar Urticaria Treatment
Most cases of solar urticaria can heal on its own. However, the doctor will usually give several types of drugs to treat the symptoms. In mild cases of solar urticaria, the doctor will prescribe an antihistamine medication to relieve allergy symptoms. In addition, the doctor may also give cream or lotion to relieve itching.
Meanwhile, patients with solar urticaria with severe symptoms will usually be prescribed other drugs to relieve complaints, such as omalizumab and cyclosporine. In some cases, medical procedures such as photopheresis, plasma exchange, or administration of intravenous immunoglobulin will also be performed by the doctor to relieve severe allergic reactions.
Prevent Solar Urticaria
Some ways that can be done to prevent the occurrence of solar urticaria are:
- As much as possible limit and avoid outdoor activities during the day, especially when the sun is scorching.
- If you want to go outside during the day, wear long pants, long sleeves, complete with a hat or headgear.
- Always use sunscreen, at least with SPF 30. Choose a sunscreen that can provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.
- If complaints arise when using certain chemicals, stop using them immediately. If complaints arise while taking certain drugs, discuss with your doctor so that drugs or replacement therapy are given.
Although solar urticaria is rarely experienced by people living in Indonesia, it never hurts to protect yourself and take precautions against this condition. If there are complaints that point to solar urticaria, don't hesitate to check with a doctor to get the right treatment.
