I Have A Condition Called Polymorphic Light Eruption. This Is How I Get Through The Summer Months

Zesha SaleemWe hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI – prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.For most people, summer means sunbathing, tans and getting that sunkissed look after two weeks in Europe.But for me, the summer months come with a yearly dread, constantly checking ultraviolet (UV) levels and hiding indoors — because it wreaks havoc on my skin.I have a condition called polymorphic light eruption, also known as PLE. This is different to heat rashes or sunburns in that I am more sensitive to higher UV levels than most people. Unless I take extra steps to look after the sun exposed skin on my hands, forearms, face or even feet, the sunny and clear skies lead to angry, burning and itchy rashes. PLE as a condition is not as well known in the general public. For years, I had no idea what was going on with my skin – I used to think I was the unlucky person who got heat rashes and sunburns at the same time every year. It was only a few years ago, when I coincidentally brought up the condition with my GP, did I finally get a name for my yearly suffering. When I searched it up on Google, I remember reading a few news articles calling it a ‘vampire skin condition’ which left me feeling rather unnerved. But it turned out that as long as I prepared for high UV days in advance I could still go out in the sun to some extent. The actual cause behind PLE is still somewhat unclear, but experts say it’s to do with the body’s heightened immune response to UV light. According to Dr Derrick Phillips, Consultant Dermatologist and official spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, PLE is thought to be an “over-reaction of the immune system in the skin.” As someone with a history of hypersensitivities and allergies, this makes sense. He told HuffPost UK: “When the skin is exposed to UV light, an unknown substance or antigen is thought to be produced. In people with PLE, the immune system mistakenly sees this as harmful and mounts an inflammatory response, which leads to the rash.”Dr Philips added that there seems to be a “genetic component” to PLE, and that up to “46 per cent of people with PLE report a family history.So, what happens to me? During the summer, my life revolves around the Weather app. I start my day by looking at the temperature, and in particular, UV levels. This is because PLE can also affect me in overcast and cloudy conditions too, as UV light can penetrate through clouds and window glass.I’ve had unexpected flare-ups despite sitting indoors, all because I spent a few hours sitting near a sunny window. I also react intensely to heat, which leads to flushed skin and a terrible, prickling sensation, followed by the bothersome, itchy rash. It means that summer months can be hard, especially if I’m out in the sun a lot. I avoid going away over summer, choosing to vacation in the autumn or winter months. A few years ago, I went to Barcelona in August and wasn’t as careful with my skin. I was left with angry, itchy rashes on my hands and forearms which put a damper on my holiday plans.If I can get to the rash before it gets to me, then I’m usually protected. This is done by staying in shade and becoming best friends with suncream. I’ve tried numerous sun creams on the market to find the one that works for me, and it comes down to two products I constantly keep stocked at home.For my face, the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+ (Boots, £16) works an absolute treat. It’s extremely lightweight yet effective and keeps my skin protected and hydrated. It’s a great option to use on the go too, and works well under make-up.For the rest of my body, I swear by Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Hydra 24 Hour Hydrating Suncream, which my mum introduced to me when I was little and I still buy it today. It’s one of the most effective suncreams out there, and for its price, (LOOKFANTASTIC, £6.50) it’s an absolute steal. It is a thicker, heavier formulation and takes time to fully absorb in my skin. However, if I go out with this suncream on, I won’t have a single rash anywhere at all. If I’m unlucky enough to end up with those raised, itchy bumps on my hands or face after going outside, then I know a rash is oncoming. For that, it’s all about making sure I try my hardest not to itch my skin, and keep it shaded, cooled and hydrated. When it gets really bad, I use an over-the-counter topical steroid such as Hydrocortisone 1% to help with the pain and inflammation. To maintain that, I turn to more cooling and calming creams.Everyone is different, but Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream (Boots, £8) works a treat, and I make sure to regularly use Aveeno’s skin RELIEF moisturising lotion for everyday use (Boots, £6.99). The rest of my skincare routine typically stays the same with the majority of my products being hydrating, calming and soothing, such as BYOMA’s Hydrating Soothing Milky Toner (Sephora UK, £11.99) and The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Boots, £7.04).Sometimes, the rashes can leave me with hyperpigmentation, which is more common in people with brown skin. Dealing with that takes weeks, but the TOPICALS Brightening and Clearing Serum always works well (Sephora UK, £25).Skincare experts also stress the importance of using SPF50+ products. Dr Hana Patel, from Superdrug Online Doctor, told HuffPost UK that sun cream is “non-negotiable.” for those with PLE She said: “Daily SPF is non-negotiable: Choose a broad-spectrum, high-SPF (30–50) sunscreen with photostable filters (look for ingredients like Tinosorb, Mexoryl SX/XL, or zinc oxide). Apply generously and reapply every 2 hours, especially if sweating or swimming.”There are other treatments available for more severe PLE which are available through specialist services. Dr Derrick Phillips told HuffPost UK about the options for more “persistent” cases. He said: “A course of phototherapy in spring, which is sometimes called “skin hardening”, can help the skin gradually build tolerance to sunlight ahead of summer. “Some people may also benefit from taking Polypodium leucotomos extract, a natural antioxidant supplement derived from a tropical fern, which has been shown to provide a degree of internal protection against UV-induced skin damage.”It’s always important to get advice from a healthcare professional, and see what works for you. I haven’t tried these therapies yet as I’m able to manage my condition myself, but could always consider it in the future.Related...This Skincare I'd Never Heard Of Gave Me The Smoothest Skin Of My Life7 Conditions A Dermatologist Says Even Experts Miss On Skin Of ColourI Tried The Collagen Supplements Skin Doctors Swear By – My Face Is Glowing

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