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Recently Became Allergic to the Sun. Is This Serious?

appleguy123

appleguy123

macrumors 604
Original poster
Apr 1, 2009
6,873
2,589
15 minutes in the future
I never had an allergy to anything before (not even Poison Ivy) in my life, and suddenly I develop this terrible allergy to the sun, along with several other alarming symptoms.

Here's what happened. I was at a camp for a week very I received a lot more sun that I typically do. For the first few days I found it odd that I didn't burn or get tanned ( I usually do), and then the next day while in the sun all of my skin is red and hot. In the beginning I thought that I just had a particularly bad sunburn until it began to itch like crazy, and I went to the first aid place. They gave me some Benadryl and let me stay in there for a few hours and the rash went away(in retrospect I think that it was being away from the sun that made the rash go away rather than the medicine). Then as soon as I went outside it broke out again.

That's been happening ever since( it's been a week), but I have some more alarming symptoms. Firstly, I have been getting injured in ways that are so tedious that I wouldn't ever conceive them as dangerous. I somehow hurt my knees and back just by running( I run a lot and this has never happened).I also have been getting sores in my mouth like crazy ( I never used to get them at all). Does anyone know what is going on?

Also, I have went to the doctor and see told me to take Zyrtec ( and she prescribed me Zantec ( I don't know what heartburn meds do for allergies?). This hasn't helped me at all and in fact the problem has gotten worse since I have been taking these drugs. I have a follow-up appointment with her in 2 weeks, but she didn't spend hardly anytime asking me questions and just gave me these medicines and left. Worse, she has been my family's doctor for a long time so they feel an attraction to her, and I can't go anywhere else.

Sorry for the long post, but what should I do?

Edit: I've attached some photos. AT the time of shooting I had been out of the sun for around 4 hours, so some of the swelling has gone down.
nv8u46.jpg

1z6haxe.jpg
 
I'd advise to never ask for medical advise from random people on the internet. Go to someone who is a specialist in this field.

appleguy123 said:
Worse, she has been my family's doctor for a long time so they feel an attraction to her, and I can't go anywhere else.
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Just read this bit. Get a new doctor. Forget your families or your Doctors feelings. Your heath is more important.
 
Sorry about that, that makes it more difficult. I'd firstly make a list of all the symptoms you experienced. Then try to sit your folks down and explain that your really worried about them. They may be able to offer you more help if you're more direct with them (they may have been overly confident in whatever the doctor and told them).
 
WebMD to try and determine with more specificity what you think you might have. That way when you see the doctor you mention symptoms that will lead to a diagnosis, or at least get the ball rolling in a direction that will lead to a diagnosis.
 
Okay, I told the doctor everything that I told you guys. Here is what she did.
She scratched my arm and noted how it turned red (Why?)
She asked me if I wanted a note to sit in the shade at Band camp ( a different camp that was happening this week not mentioned in thread)
She told me those medicines.
In order to see a dermatologist I would need a referral, how can I get one of those if she won't even spend more than 5 minutes with me?
 
Some good advice about seeing a dermatologist. In the mean time, I'd avoid garlic and Christian religious symbols.
 
appleguy123 said:
Okay, I told the doctor everything that I told you guys. Here is what she did.
She scratched my arm and noted how it turned red (Why?)
She asked me if I wanted a note to sit in the shade at Band camp ( a different camp that was happening this week not mentioned in thread)
She told me those medicines.
In order to see a dermatologist I would need a referral, how can I get one of those if she won't even spend more than 5 minutes with me?
Click to expand...
And your parents arent doing anything about this?
 
The advice to not seek advice on the internet is something that I agree with. I am still going to throw in my 2¢.

It sounds like your immune system is going nuts. Since it's not just the sun, but your joints bothering you and ulcers in your mouth. You mentioned going to camp. Do you think that maybe something may have bitten you?

You should definitely see about another doctor. I would not lean toward a dermatologist though, because I think the skin reaction is just a symptom.

I'm not a doctor though. That's just what I would do. Another thing I would do too, is give it a few more days. All of this may just go away. :)
 
redwarrior said:
The advice to not seek advice on the internet is something that I agree with. I am still going to throw in my 2¢.

It sounds like your immune system is going nuts. Since it's not just the sun, but your joints bothering you and ulcers in your mouth. You mentioned going to camp. Do you think that maybe something may have bitten you?

You should definitely see about another doctor. I would not lean toward a dermatologist though, because I think the skin reaction is just a symptom.

I'm not a doctor though. That's just what I would do. Another thing I would do too, is give it a few more days. All of this may just go away. :)
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It's been a week and 3 days. How much longer should I wait(REal question not condescending sarcasm)?
IT is possible that I may have been bit by something, but no noticeable bite marks were ever found on me.
Also, about asking for advice on the internet. I'm not going to use your advice only to make medical decisions. I'm just looking for things to bring up to my doctor as possibilities.
 
It sounds like more than an allergy to the sun because it is affecting your joint and youre having mouth sores.

Like the poster above said the rash may be just a symptom caused by the sun.

appleguy123 said:
It's been a week and 3 days. How much longer should I wait(REal question not condescending sarcasm)?
IT is possible that I may have been bit by something, but no noticeable bite marks were ever found on me.
Also, about asking for advice on the internet. I'm not going to use your advice only to make medical decisions. I'm just looking for things to bring up to my doctor as possibilities.
Click to expand...
How are your parents ok with what the doctor has given you?
 
liamkp said:
How are your parents ok with what the doctor has given you?
Click to expand...

They're worried about it, but seem to think that this will all clear up in a few days. I'm just worried about if it doesn't. I can't spend my entire life being allergic to the sun.
Another thing about which I worry is that being allergic to the sun is how my English teacher's Lupus started. I hope that I don't have that.
 
appleguy123 said:
They're worried about it, but seemed to think that this will all clear up in a few days. I'm just worried about if it doesn't. I can't spend my entire life being allergic to the sun.
Another thing about which I worry is that being allergic to the sun is how my English teacher's Lupus started. I hope that I don't have that.
Click to expand...
3 symptoms of Lupus match your story.

* Fatigue
* Fever
* Weight loss or gain
* Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
* Butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
* Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
*Mouth sores
* Hair loss (alopecia)
* Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Dry eyes
* Easy bruising
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Memory loss
 
Are you taking anything else?

Some of the strong medications these days may make you have problems with the sun, like Cipro.

Since these drugs can cause allergic reactions also, not usually a good combination.

---

Though the same thing can happen if you use hydrocortisone cream on the sunburn also, some people can use it fine for a long time, them come up with instant sensitivity.

Teas, drinks, food, etc. all can do the same thing creating a allergic sensitivity.

---

Of course there is also herpes. :p
 
appleguy123 said:
Another thing about which I worry is that being allergic to the sun is how my English teacher's Lupus started. I hope that I don't have that.
Click to expand...
Seriously though, keep pressing the doctor about this, don't wait around.
 

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liamkp said:
3 symptoms of Lupus match your story.

* Fatigue
* Fever
* Weight loss or gain
* Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
* Butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
* Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
* Mouth sores
* Hair loss (alopecia)
* Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Dry eyes
* Easy bruising
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Memory loss
Click to expand...

This butterfly rash. I think that I may be getting the beginnings of it. I have recently developed this curious wound on the left edge of my nose( I prefer not to post a picture of my face for obvious reasons). It's about half the size of my thumb fingernail and it is brown and oozes something. It's not puss, but it is wet and has an odd texture.It does this oozing constantly. IT doesn't build up or anything, but as soon as I wipe it the odd texture is back.
 
appleguy123 said:
I'm a minor. I can't choose to get a new doctor and I can't sway my parents either.
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Sit them down and tell them that you are worried. If they really care about you they will listen. I knew a kid who had do go to lots of doctors to see if he really needed back surgery.
 
appleguy123 said:
This butterfly rash. I think that I may be getting the beginnings of it. I have recently developed this curious wound on the left edge of my nose( I prefer not to post a picture of my face for obvious reasons). It's about half the size of my thumb fingernail and it is brown and oozes something. It's not puss, but it is wet and has an odd texture.It does this oozing constantly. IT doesn't build up or anything, but as soon as I wipe it the odd texture is back.
Click to expand...
Although im not one to diagnose you, you should probably see a doctor ASAP.
 
Sun Baked said:
Are you taking anything else?

Some of the strong medications these days may make you have problems with the sun, like Cipro.

Since these drugs can cause allergic reactions also, not usually a good combination.

---

Though the same thing can happen if you use hydrocortisone cream on the sunburn also, some people can use it fine for a long time, them come up with instant sensitivity.

Teas, drinks, food, etc. all can do the same thing creating a allergic sensitivity.


Of course there is also herpes. :p
Click to expand...

I'm not on any medicines. I do take in some caffeine on a regular basis, but it's never affected me in this way before.
 
appleguy123 said:
<snip>but it's never affected me in this way before.
Click to expand...

That's how allergies work. You could use the same product every day for your entire life and then one day your body decides it has had enough and *BAM* allergy.

Happened to me with caffeine. Can't drink it any more, and can only have it in other forms (specifically chocolate) in very small amounts.

Good luck with whatever is going on.
 
The fact that you did not look up what some side effects of Zyrtec are makes me wonder. Zyrtec can increase sensitivity to sunlight.

However, you have other symptoms and for this alone it's time to log off and seek medical help. I hope you figure it out.
 
jessica. said:
The fact that you did not look up what some side effects of Zyrtec are makes me wonder. Zyrtec can increase sensitivity to sunlight.

However, you have other symptoms and for this alone it's time to log off and seek medical help. I hope you figure it out.
Click to expand...

I have an appointment in 11 days. This issue isn't like an emergency room problem, is it?
 
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