I'm allergic to the SUN! WDW trip in August! HELP!

[DreamDelta]

I have acquired a strange allergy to the sun several years ago. If I'm in direct sunlight for extended periods of time I break out in itchy welts. Usually if I take a Claritin before going out I'm ok, no welts...but lately that hasn't been working. Sunscreen does not help AT ALL! I'm concerned that this allergy is going to ruin my trip to the World in August, KWIM?

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Angela

 

[justplaingoofy]

You are positive that it is the sun you are allergic too and not the sunscreens right? I know alot of people that thought it was the sun, in fact it was an ingredient in the sunscreen.

That really stinks.....
How about one of those mini umbrellas? They sell them at Walmart and close up into a little case with a nylon strap for a handle? $7.

 

[Maybelle]

Funny you mention this...the same thing started to happen to me last year. I have rosacea, and I'm on topical meds for that, so I thought that might be causing it. It always seemed worse to me when I had sunscreen on, but I wouldn't go out in the sun without it. Well, I talked to my dermatologist about it, and she ran a patch test on me. Low and behold, I am allergic to nickel, and turns out that the allergy was from the interaction between the sun, the sunscreen and my necklace (gold) that I always wore. Since I stopped wearing the necklace I don't have the problem anymore.

Could it be an allergy to something you are wearing, or a medication making you more sensitive to the sun?? Often antibiotics and other medications will warn about excess sun exposure. Hope you get the problem settled before your trip!

 

[poohluv2u]

A few years back I picked up an umbrella/parasol at Epcot in the China pavillion. It is really light weight and keeps the sun off. I was on meds at the time that gave me sun sensitivity, but now I use it all the time as it is always good shade.

 

[J&J]

How about a shirt & pants that have sun blockers in them. Them a large hat to cover your face.
Have a great trip

 

[DiznEeyore]

How about a shirt & pants that have sun blockers in them. Them a large hat to cover your face.
Have a great trip

Yes! There are many companies that offer clothing with excellent UV protection. I have to avoid the sun due to medication and these shirts and pants are a lifesaver.

http://www.sungrubbies.com/Women1sunprotectiveclothing.htm

http://www.sportif.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=471

http://www.coolibar.com

HTH!!

 

[justplaingoofy]

maybe LL Bean too

 

[karliebug]

My daughter, 7, has the exact same problem. It seems to be not only the sun, but the heat as well. I am putting her in a big floppy hat and taking advantage of early morning hours and evening hours as much as possible. Also take breaks in airconditioned shows,attractions, or restaurants as much as possible.

 

[Maybelle]

I just remembered that ther is a product you can buy to add SPF to your clothes. I can't remember the name of it, but you can buy it in a small box with the RIT dyes in craft stores and such. You add it into your wash like detergent and it increases the SPF of your clothing for like 20 washes or something. Anyway, I tried it on some really lightweight tops that we took to FL last year, and I think it helped. Worth a shot anyway, and MUCH cheaper than buying special high SPF rated clothing. That can be very expensive!

The parasol idea was a really good one. My dd got one when we were there, and I think I did end up using it for a little bit that day.

 

[suezb]

I also have a sun allergy. I have purchased my clothing through Sun Precautions, and really liked them. www.sunprecautions.com
When I purchased something from them, they put my order on hold and called me up. The lady I talked to on the phone discussed my problem with me, and told me she thought something else would be better instead. She then changed my order, and wrote down in a database what my problems are and what i need, so when I go into an actual store I can give them my name and they'll lead me to the right stuff.
I have purchased the sun sleeves, which I put over my arms when I'm driving and allows me to still wear short sleeves indoors. I'm also getting a large floppy hat for my trip to Atlanta in August as well! I'm waiting to go into the store so I can try on the covers. They have very lightweight covers that you can put over your existing clothing, and I'll wear that to keep the sun off me.

I also use a product that clinique makes called "After Sun". I have a problem with aloe, because it feels nasty. This stuff actually seems to cool the inside of your skin when you get a slight burn, and it feels so good. I haven't had a burn like I've had, or the rash as bad since I've been using it.

Hope this helps!

 

[Fourfun]

I also have the same problem... but mine is not an allergy.. I have always been in the sun, spending almost every weekend at the lake but always wearing sunscreen usually spf 50.. Strangly last year I started getting red itchy welt on my neck and arms.. I had a biopsy at the demotoligist and he said I had something called tumid lupus.. He said.. Dont be in the sun.. not at all.. not even with sunscreen.. It wasnt going to get any worse but it wouldnt heal as long as I was in the sun.. (I thought to myself.. how is that even possible.. He said even in the car I should wear sunscreen) Well we already had a 7day vacation on Topsail Island paid for.. So we went.. I wore spf 50 the whole week and when I came back.. It was Gone... completly gone... I was amazed .. and thought my demotoligist was stupid..
So a few week later went to the lake (we live in OH) and I wore spf 50
The next day.it was back.. I really think it had something to do with saltwater vs fresh water. I think the salt water healed it... Well.. this year it has not came back and we have been to the lake several times.. even spent a week in Georgia out in the sun and at the pool everyday.. I have been home for 3 days now and it still isnt back... So I am really hoping that I was right and the demotoligist was stupid... we are going to Disney in August for 10 days and I plan on slathering on the spf 50 several times a day... Hope I come home welt free......

 

[finz2left]

American sunscreens have horrid chemicals in them many times. Try a physical sunscreen like Blue Lizard Baby from CVS and online, or a Euro sunscreen like Avene or La Roche Posay available at tubotica.com

 

[robertchance]

see the doc for advice

 

[NotUrsula]

Probably PMLE (Polymorphic Light Eruption.) There are ways to make yourself less susceptible, including prophylactic antihistimines, which you've already been doing. You probably need a different antihistimine, probably Rx strength.

Google it or even do a search here for some strategies. Make sure that you see a dermatologist; most internists won't have a clue about how to help.

 

[DreamDelta]

You are positive that it is the sun you are allergic too and not the sunscreens right? I know alot of people that thought it was the sun, in fact it was an ingredient in the sunscreen.

That really stinks.....
How about one of those mini umbrellas? They sell them at Walmart and close up into a little case with a nylon strap for a handle? $7.

Nope, it's not the sunscreen. I went to the dermatologist last year and he made me a special perscription suncreen. It worked last year, no good this year.

I can't carry an umbrella because I'll be pushing a stroller!

Thanks for your advice!​

 

[DreamDelta]

Funny you mention this...the same thing started to happen to me last year. I have rosacea, and I'm on topical meds for that, so I thought that might be causing it. It always seemed worse to me when I had sunscreen on, but I wouldn't go out in the sun without it. Well, I talked to my dermatologist about it, and she ran a patch test on me. Low and behold, I am allergic to nickel, and turns out that the allergy was from the interaction between the sun, the sunscreen and my necklace (gold) that I always wore. Since I stopped wearing the necklace I don't have the problem anymore.

Could it be an allergy to something you are wearing, or a medication making you more sensitive to the sun?? Often antibiotics and other medications will warn about excess sun exposure. Hope you get the problem settled before your trip!

I break out on my legs too, no jewelry there! And I'm not taking any meds at all! I need to get this figured out soon!

Thanks for the advice!​

 

[bookworm61]

My son got this reaction once when he was much younger. It was in winter during a trip to Florida when his skin was probably not used to the sun. The MD prescribed a strong cream for it which cleared it up. I suggest you get something like this and have it with you just in case. (I don't recall its name; I just bring hydrocortisone cream now just in case.) Also, those clothes with the UV are a good preventive measure. I just got my son a shirt from Lands End with UV protection.

 

[DreamDelta]

How about a shirt & pants that have sun blockers in them. Them a large hat to cover your face.
Have a great trip

I thought about wearing pants and shirts like that, but it's just too darn hot in August! ​

 

[DreamDelta]

I also have a sun allergy. I have purchased my clothing through Sun Precautions, and really liked them. www.sunprecautions.com
When I purchased something from them, they put my order on hold and called me up. The lady I talked to on the phone discussed my problem with me, and told me she thought something else would be better instead. She then changed my order, and wrote down in a database what my problems are and what i need, so when I go into an actual store I can give them my name and they'll lead me to the right stuff.
I have purchased the sun sleeves, which I put over my arms when I'm driving and allows me to still wear short sleeves indoors. I'm also getting a large floppy hat for my trip to Atlanta in August as well! I'm waiting to go into the store so I can try on the covers. They have very lightweight covers that you can put over your existing clothing, and I'll wear that to keep the sun off me.

I also use a product that clinique makes called "After Sun". I have a problem with aloe, because it feels nasty. This stuff actually seems to cool the inside of your skin when you get a slight burn, and it feels so good. I haven't had a burn like I've had, or the rash as bad since I've been using it.

Hope this helps!

Every little bit helps suezb! I've never heard of After Sun, I'm going to give it a try!Thanks!

 

[suezb]

You're welcome! The After Sun isn't a cure, but it helps a little bit, and hey...every little bit helps in my opinion. Plus, it feels so good going on The one thing the After Sun does do for me is not make my burns as severe; I burn within 5 minutes, but if I put that stuff on immediately, the burn is gone within a couple days. If I don't use it, the burn lasts over a week. This is assuming of course that I catch the burn early on, before it turns me into a lobster! But you can feel it working, and just the cooling effect under my skin makes me happy. Sometimes I use it when I don't have a burn, but just want the good feeling it gives
I've gone to doctors, and they aren't really all that helpful! This has been the worst year for me yet; I've had this problem ever since I was born. The rash is all over my hands and arms this year, in places that I've never had it before. And I'm a firm believer in the "If it scratches, ITCH IT!" which doesn't help matters much hehe!
I know you said that it would be hot in August, and I agree with ya there. But as far as the clothing goes, or the hats...think of the people that live in the hot deserts in Africa; they cover themselves head to toe! They do this to keep the sun off, but also because, believe it or not, it IS cooler.
I myself don't even own a pair of shorts; I only own pants and slacks. Our summers easily get above 115 degrees, and I'm not hotter than the people who are wearing shorts. In fact, not having the hot sun directly on my skin feels sooo much better than my arms, where I do wear T-shirts and am exposed. For my summers, I'm wearing T-Shirts and Tank Tops like normal, but throwing a very light cover up with the UV stuff on. It's really not any hotter, because it's so lose and ventilated that the air flows through; and again, no sun directly on my skin to make it roast!
As I sit here typing this, I'm scratching on my current rashes! Blasted sun, blasted!