Summer Lucite

Dermatitis or dermatosis due to the action of light rays, particularly long UVA rays (340 to 400 nm). Sometimes called “sun allergy”, it would involve a local, photo-induced immuno-allergic reaction.

Appears from the first exposure to the sun, by an eruption of small red itchy pimples.  It is located on the neckline, shoulders, arms, legs, sometimes the backs of the feet. Lucite looks like hives. It mainly affects women (90% of cases) and generally appears between the ages of 15 and 35.

Most summer breakouts are benign and regress naturally in 5 to 15 days when the skin is tanned and provided all sun exposure is eliminated.

Recurrence is common in the following years and sometimes takes on a much more severe character.

Carrot (roots)

Apricot

Pollen

Betacarotene and fruits or vegetables rich in carotenoids

Fish oils

Certain foods are considered to have a phototoxic reaction (parsnip, fennel, dill, carrot tops, parsley, lime, orange, mandarin, clementine) or photoallergic reaction (green fig, lamb's-quarters) and should be avoided in hypersensitive people

Prevention involves progressive light exposure and the use, even on cloudy days, of “very high protection” category sun protection products (Phyt’s)”.

The ideal is to favor progressive exposures (20-30 minutes on the first day), to avoid tanning sessions between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., hours during which solar radiation is at its maximum.

Use covering clothing, a wide hat edges, sunglasses.

Be wary of cloudy skies which are deceptive because the clouds allow ultraviolet rays to pass through.

Caution with St. John's wort and/or bergamot oil which can have a sometimes very significant skin photosensitivity nature in certain people.

Certain E.O. are photosensitizing and should be avoided during the period preceding or during the phase of exposure to the sun, for example:

EO of Angelica (Angelica archangelica), of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and other Citrus, of Fennel (Fœniculum vulgare), Cedar (Cedrus libani), Vanilla (Vanilla fragrans)…