Allergic to sunlight: rare but extremely painful

A hospital display shows where the memorial altar for popular comedian Park Ji-sun is located at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital in Seoul, Nov. 2. Park was found dead alongside her mother at her residence earlier in the day. Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

The late comedian Park Ji-sun reportedly had a problems due to a worsening sunlight allergy. A final note, which is believed to have been left by Park's mother, who was found dead by her daughter's side, said, “My daughter suffered from skin diseases, and recently, she suffered more in the process of treating other diseases.”

Park said in an interview in 2014 that she suffered from skin allergies and could not even wear makeup. In particular, people suffering from these have to always avoid sunlight, which increases their likelihood of developing depression.

The comedian, who was said to have had the allergy throughout her life, usually wore a mass-producer to avoid the sun. When filming, she minimized makeup for her sensitive skin, but she struggled with outdoor shooting as well as stage lighting.

Worsening symptoms when exposed to sunlight

Exposure to sunlight produces itching or rashes on the skin.

Solar radiation is the main cause. Genetic metabolic abnormalities, or chemicals contained in some antibiotics and painkillers, disinfectants and sunscreens are also known to have the effects.

In the case of hives or sunlight allergic dermatitis, where itching is the main symptom, an immune response occurs in the body after exposure to sunlight. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, photoantigens are generated or antigenicity to specific substances is increased, and photoallergic reactions are induced by the immune system, leading to various symptoms.

In addition, as more and more people stay indoors for a long time, their adaptability to sunlight decreases, and they become more sensitive to exposure.

Symptoms appear as hives or various types of rashes or blisters when the skin is exposed to sunlight, and can occur even with short exposures of 10 to 15 minutes. They usually appear without any problems, but only when exposed to sunlight after contact with cosmetics, sunscreen, drugs or certain plants.

Symptoms include itching, swelling, red spots, rashes, swelling and blistering in severe cases. If these symptoms appear repeatedly, the skin may become thick and rough. The swelling or inflammation usually disappears or reduces naturally by applying ice or cold water, but in some cases can become chronic.

Avoid sunlight, keep skin moisturized

The need for treatment for sun allergy may naturally subside after a certain period of time if the person avoids sunlight. If symptoms get severe, antihistamines or steroid ointment are used as in other allergies involving the skin. However, applying steroid ointment too often may weaken the function of the barrier that protects the skin, and could make the symptoms worse. Also, it may become resistant and lose effectiveness.

If necessary, light therapy is also performed in which a special lamp is used to illuminate the body to familiarize it to light. At home, patients should keep a moisturizing cream or pack made of aloe in the refrigerator to apply to symptomatic skin to help soothe rashes.

Treatment is important for sun allergies, but prevention is usually the best.

“Basically, it is better to avoid going out during times when sunlight is strong, and if you go out, you should wear a hat or sunglasses to avoid exposure as much as possible,” Seo Soo-hong, a dermatologist at Korea University Anam Hospital, said.

“It is helpful to minimize exposure through light and thin cardigans and summer jumpers even in summer.”

It is also helpful to use sunscreen whenever going out. When choosing a product, it is better to choose a product made of natural ingredients if the skin is sensitive, and it is better to check whether it blocks both UVA and UVB rather than its SPF index.

After going out, it is better to cool the skin by soaking it in cold water. It is better to avoid irritants as well, and moisturizing after showering is effective for prevention. If the skin is well-moisturized, the skin barrier is strengthened, which helps prevent sunlight allergies, Seo added.