Sunny days are made for getting outside, but sometimes your skin may react to all that sunshine. If you notice an itchy, red or bumpy rash after spending time outdoors, you may be experiencing what’s commonly called a sun rash.
Here’s what to know and how to give sun-sensitive skin a little extra care.
Key Takeaways:
- A sun rash is a skin reaction after UV exposure
- Symptoms range from redness/itching to bumps and blisters
- Soothe with shade, a cool compress and after-sun care
- See a provider if it's severe or recurring
- Prevent with SPF 30+, shade and protective clothing
What is a Sun Rash and What Causes it?
“Sun rash” is a general term often used for a skin reaction that develops after sun exposure. One possible cause is a sun allergy, which can trigger a reaction within minutes, hours or even days.
Sun reactions can vary from person to person and may sometimes be connected to medications or products that make skin more sensitive to sunlight.
What Does a Sun Rash Look Like?
Depending on the reaction, you may notice:
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Redness or itching
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Small bumps or hives
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Blisters or swelling
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Scaling or crusting
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Stinging or burning
The rash typically appears on sun-exposed skin, although some reactions can appear elsewhere. Sun allergy rashes are not contagious.
Sun Rash vs. Sun Poisoning
A sun rash is a skin reaction to sun exposure, while sun poisoning refers to a severe sunburn that may include blistering, nausea, headache, dizziness, or dehydration. Heat rash is different as it develops when sweat becomes trapped in the skin, often during hot, humid weather.
How to Treat & Get Rid of a Sun Rash
First, get out of direct sunlight and give your skin time to recover. A cool, damp cloth can help soothe discomfort, and staying hydrated is always a good idea after a day outdoors.
For skin that feels hot or dry after sun exposure, reach for a soothing after-sun product like Babo Botanicals Aloe Vera Mist to help cool and moisturize skin.
If your rash is persistent, severe or keeps returning, check in with a healthcare provider or dermatologist.
How Long Does a Sun Rash Last?
Sun allergy symptoms may begin to improve within a few hours or days once sun exposure stops. In some cases, however, the rash can linger for a couple of weeks. It typically heals without scarring, though scratching or irritating the affected area may damage the skin and increase the chance of marks.
How to Help Protect Sun-Sensitive Skin
Think shade, protective clothing and SPF. Avoid direct sunlight when it’s strongest, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, reapplying every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
Babo Botanicals mineral sunscreens make it easy to add SPF to the whole family’s outdoor routine. Our sunscreens are fragrance-free and dermatologist tested.
For babies, prioritize shade and protective clothing. Babies over 6 months can wear sunscreen for incidental exposure unless otherwise directed by their doctor.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17681-sun-allergy