Freckles Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 The rash and itch are about to make me rip my skin off. Does anyone in the hive have any helpful ideas for coping. I live in S. Ca. I can't get away from the sun. Currently I'm sitting in my living room with the shades shut. I don't want to have to wear long pants everyday. Totally bummed out. I just finished a week of Prednisone, and I have two new itchy patches on my legs from wearing a skirt on Easter Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I am not diagnosed, but I get a rash if I'm in the sun much. I wear strong sunscreen. I have a large sun hat with a wide brim. I'll still wear long sleeves sometimes in the summer if I don't want to wear sunscreen, but i still have to put it on the backs of my hands. Sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Oh that's lousy. I'm thinking stocking up your wardrobe with lots of light flowing dresses and light pants might be helpful. Lots of fun hats and some sun umbrellas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameena Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I'm on medication that has made me extremely sun sensitive too - it does suck. I get a deep layer sunburn in about 10 minutes of exposure. Stock up on light flowy fabrics that give full coverage. I find skirts are cooler than pants. Check out middle eastern clothing shops for very lightweight, full coverage items. I wear hijab, so that covers all but my face, and in the worst of the summer sun I sometimes will pull my scarf across my lower face for coverage, or pair hijab with a wide brim hat to give better coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I was told by my doc that I can take up to 4 zyrtec for hives. Not saying you can, but that is my go-to for hives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 If you move way up north to Canada, you'll have fewer days to worry about even seeing the sun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Mine flares only at the start of the season. During that time, I wear lightweight SPF 50 clothing. I usually wear capris, a tank, and a long-sleeve shirt, and sunscreen. It helps to get very lightweight fabrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 I was told by my doc that I can take up to 4 zyrtec for hives. Not saying you can, but that is my go-to for hives. Thanks, Parrothead. I currently take claritin daily as well as 2 Zantac for solar urticaria. I just got off of prednisone for this rash (not hives.) It feels like nothing helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 My mother took megadoses of PABA. She had lupus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 sorry you are going through this I'm grumpy because I have Rosecea and have a full face bumps because dumb me forgot to wear my hat while working in the sun this week. Mine is also seasonal come spring and fall i have break out but am ok during the summer. I'm all grumpy with just the break out I would go nuts if itched also. Hope you find something that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Thanks, Parrothead. I currently take claritin daily as well as 2 Zantac for solar urticaria. I just got off of prednisone for this rash (not hives.) It feels like nothing helps. The Zantac should help. Are you taking the 150mg? My allergist also prescribed Singular. I don't take it all the time. I worry about building up a tolerance. But I do take it during historically bad months. It seems to be working. Do you have an allergist? I was told by a PA in the ER once that they have more luck with Zyrtec for treating hives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 My son was on Zyrtec for a while for environmental allergies. It never helped with hives though...we use Benadryl for that. My husband has been on Singulair for years and hasn't had an issue with it. Allergies and medications are so particular though. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Do you have it year round? My daughter had it at the start of summer every year, when she started spending time outdoors again after the long winter. So, she really only had to be careful for about a week. But, she actually had to be IN the sun and get the itchy rash, and then it's like her body would adjust for the rest of the summer. Sometimes her entire face would swell up. Interestingly, now that she lives in a climate that is warm and sunny year round, she doesn't get it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabinfl Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 A wide-brimmed hat, or a hat with the cloth that goes down the back of your neck. Light-colored long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, and slacks. Look for swim/beach wear with "UPF" fabric that's light but still blocks the sun. A long-sleeved, light beach coverup that you can throw on over top of whatever you're wearing when you will only be outside for a short time, so you can still wear your "normal" clothes while indoors. Check on tinted window film that may help with UV blocking without you having to keep your blinds closed (bonus, it can also make your house a lot harder for people or windstorms to break into through the windows). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Don't discount the sun you get while driving, especially on your left side. My dad had a UV tint put on his car because he can't be exposed at all. Had to get a prescription from his specialist to pass state inspection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 Thanks everybody for the wonderful suggestions. I'm just bummed because I just bought my summer wardrobe when I thought it was eczema. Shorts, sleeveless tops, sandals, etc... Oh well! I try to protect my skin anyway because I'm so fair and covered in freckles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 The Zantac should help. Are you taking the 150mg? My allergist also prescribed Singular. I don't take it all the time. I worry about building up a tolerance. But I do take it during historically bad months. It seems to be working. Do you have an allergist? I was told by a PA in the ER once that they have more luck with Zyrtec for treating hives. I can't function on Zyrtec. It makes me so sleepy. I do take the 150mg Zantac. I don't have an allergist, but I will be seeing a new dermatologist soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 My mother took megadoses of PABA. She had lupus. Very interesting! I will have to look into that. I don't know anything about PABA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 sorry you are going through this I'm grumpy because I have Rosecea and have a full face bumps because dumb me forgot to wear my hat while working in the sun this week. Mine is also seasonal come spring and fall i have break out but am ok during the summer. I'm all grumpy with just the break out I would go nuts if itched also. Hope you find something that helps! Sorry! That doesn't sound fun at all. This is my first time to break out with the rash. I lived a year and a half with idiopathic urticaria and angioedema. I'm wondering now if it wasn't solar urticaria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Just thought I'd add make sure you start supplementing Vitamin D and/or get lots of it through your diet. Having to avoid the sun means your body won't get stimulated by it to make enough on its own. Cod Liver Oil supplements are good for this, as is fortified dairy, etc.It's not something people in So-Cal are used to having to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 double post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 If I had a greater need for sun protection I would definitely buy some clothing from Coolibar. They have several full coverage clothing options that look like they would be comfortable in hot weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 Tell me more about this. I sometimes get itchy when I've been out in the sun, and occasionally my chest will get bumps on it (small bumps all over, not like hives). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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