Many of us are familiar with the condition you receive when you are out in the sun for too long – sunburn. For those with fair skin, sunburn can be pretty common. This can lead to severe irritation of the skin, sometimes even to dehydration and sunstroke, when the person remains in the sun for too long.
While most are familiar with sunburns, there is also another type of skin condition you can get from exposure to the sun – sun rash.
What Is a Sun Rash?
Most are quite familiar with sunburns. This is a reddening of the skin that makes it extremely sensitive. However, a sun rash is different. While the skin can become irritated, what makes this condition distinct from the common sunburn is that a person does not have to come in direct contact with the heat or ultraviolet radiation of the sun to develop a rash, often referred to as a polymorphic light eruption.
In fact, many people have developed a sun rash simply from being outside for an extended period of time. Even if they were under a shaded area, such as a tree, overhang, or other structure, they still developed a rash.
When a sun rash develops, it appears as blotchy red spots on the skin. These can appear in a limited region or can be pretty extensive, even covering an entire extremity or more. However, rarely does the condition occur on the face. These raised patches will often itch or burn and will begin to show after exposure to the sun or its heat after about an hour.
The troublesome part about a skin rash is that you can cover all exposed skin and still develop a rash. While exposure to sunlight can cause inflammation, it is also often caused by the heat of the sun. This means that even if you are taking the proper precautions, you can still develop a rash.
What to Do about a Skin Rash
The great thing about a skin rash is that many of the same things you would do for sunburn can be used for a skin rash. Treat the rash with moisturizers, a cold compress, or even anti-itch medication. Many use antihistamines to counter the effects of itching and irritation.
Should the skin rash continue over a period of days, you may need to see a doctor. In this case, oral steroids may be prescribed as the treatment regimen.
