Sun allergy
An itchy rash after the first strong sun exposure of the season.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist
± 2 min read
Summer skinwhat the summer sun does to your skin
Summer is great for your mood, but it asks something of your skin. Sun, heat and sweat together cause the familiar summer complaints: sunburn, sun spots and heat rash. Read here how to recognise them, what to do and when to involve a dermatologist.
What is summer skin?
Summer skin is not a diagnosis but an umbrella term for what summer can do to your skin. The three most common complaints: sunburn, dark sun spots and heat rash. Each has its own cause and its own approach, and all three are largely preventable.
Preventing sunburn
Burning is damage, and that damage adds up: every sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer later. Prevention is the whole game. Seek shade between 12 and 3 pm, wear covering clothing and a cap or hat, and apply sunscreen with at least factor 30 to uncovered skin. Reapply regularly, certainly after swimming or sweating. And do not use the tanning bed: it simply counts as UV damage.
Sun spots and pigment
UV light drives pigment cells to make extra pigment. That is how sun spots appear, and existing pigment patches darken. Melasma, the hormonal pigment form on the face, also clearly worsens with sun. The basis is the same as with sunburn: protect. For patches you want to fade, read more on the hyperpigmentation page.
Heat rash
Heat rash (miliaria) develops when the ducts of the sweat glands become blocked during heavy sweating, for example from heat, sport or clothing that is too warm. The mild form consists of hundreds of small, clear blisters that look like droplets on the skin; that form heals by itself and needs no treatment. The better-known red form (prickly heat) gives small, red, intensely itchy bumps that can last for days. The approach: rest, cooling and airy clothing. If the bumps become infected or do not settle, see a doctor.
When to see a dermatologist?
Most summer complaints are harmless and pass by themselves. Two situations deserve a professional look: a new or changing spot (growth, shape, colour, or a spot that keeps returning or does not heal), and an itchy rash that returns after the first strong sun; that can be sun allergy. In doubt, add a photo to your consultation: a dermatologist looks along within 12 to 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions about summer skin
Which sunscreen factor do I need?
At least factor 30, reapplied regularly, certainly after swimming or sweating.
Is heat rash contagious?
No. Heat rash is caused by blocked sweat ducts and cannot be passed on.
Does heat rash go away by itself?
The mild form with clear blisters heals by itself. The red, itchy form can last for days; rest, cooling and airy clothing help. If bumps become infected, see a doctor.
Is tanning safe if I do not burn?
A tan is a protective response to UV damage; even without burning you strain the skin. So always protect, and do not use the tanning bed.
Sources and more information
- NVDV patient leaflets on sun protection and pigment (nvdv.nl)
- Dermatology handbook, Miliaria (huidziekten.nl)
Source: Dutch Society of Dermatology and Venereology (NVDV) and huidziekten.nl.