What is summer lucite or sun allergy?
Summertime lucitis, also known as sun allergy, is manifested by an eruption of itchy little pimples. 5 things to know about this common and most often benign condition.
- Summer lucite can appear in the early days of spring.
"It develops under the influence of ultraviolet (UV) A, explains Professor Bédane, head of the dermatology department of the University Hospital Center (CHU) Limoges and member of the French Society of Dermatology (SFD). Its causes are still poorly known. But we suspect the role of a photosensitizing agent: a chromophore (a molecule that has the property of changing color under the action of light) would be present in the bloodstream. This is why an eruption occurs after intense exposure to the sun during the first beautiful weekends of spring or the first days at the beach in summer. "
Small red spots are visible on the neckline, upper back, forearms and legs. And they have the particularity of itching. "The face is rarely reached because it is regularly exposed," says the dermatologist.
- It mainly affects women with fair skin.
"About 5% of the population is concerned with so-called benign summer lucite. And in 80% of cases, they are women, says Christophe Bédane. The condition usually begins in adolescence, around the age of 16 or 17, and rarely extends beyond 40 years. People with white skin and clear or intermediate, a phototype 2 or 3, are the most sensitive. "
- The symptoms disappear on their own.
"The allergy appears rather in the evening, after a day of exposure to the sun, and often lasts only a few days, observes the professor. The symptoms gradually fade and it seems that the chromophore disappears. To relieve itching, it is possible to be prescribed by his GP a corticosteroid cream. For the most disabling forms, a synthetic antimalarial will be effective and the dermatologist may recommend light therapy in the medical cabin. A dozen sessions are enough to desensitize the skin. "
- This allergy can not be cured.
Even if the symptoms usually fade spontaneously in a few days, the person is not cured. "Lucite tends to recur from one year to the next," warns the dermatologist. The manifestations can worsen over time: more and more early onset, longer and longer duration, greater body surface area affected ... Better therefore to limit intense exposure and protect the skin from the sun.
- We can limit the occurrence of crises.
Some simple rules prevent the occurrence of lucite. "We must first expose ourselves gradually, recommends Dr. Bedane. You can go to the sun for about thirty minutes on the first day, strip only a part of your body, and gradually increase the duration on the following days while avoiding the time slot from 12 to 16 hours. Good protection is essential: choose a sunscreen with an index of 50 + and a high coefficient in UVA. The pharmacist can advise you to find the most suitable product. To limit the risks, the cream should be applied carefully every two hours and always after swimming.