Is there any relation between Lyme and sun exposure causing rashes? I tend to break out in a very itchy, red rash on my arms, shoulders and upper back if I am out in the sun for more than 30 min, even with sunblock. I know this isnt the Doxy or Rifampin I am on because this rash first started February of 2007 (I was diagnosed April of this year).
I went to the beach last August and it got so bad it was all over my arms, stomach, chest, back and even creeping up my neck. I tried all sorts of creams and lotions and they would only work for about an hour...
Any ideas??
Posted by onthemend (Member # 13454) on :
Before I was either diagnosed OR treated in any way, I had this symptom. I had become increasingly photo-sensitive the prior two summers to diagnosis. Rashes were a frequent result, big red splotches, etc. My eyes were also extremely sun & light sensitive. I also noticed a marked change in my HEAT sensitivity as well - just couldn't bear warmer temps (or colder, either, but I didn't discover that until AFTER the first diagnosed summer, during fall and winter!!!!).
I should add that I have been a mega careful, high SPF, properly applied for about a decade now, so it wasn't anything commonsensical like overexposure causing these symptoms.
And yes, with doxy I had INCREASED sun sensitiviy - but in a very different way, and to such a degree that I spent the last two summers indoors. This summer, I'm on Mino and it's better.
otm
Posted by hokie (Member # 14720) on :
I break out in rashes from the sun now (with sunscreen and even when there is no evidence of burn). Never used to unless I had absolutely fried myself on the beach like a moron (as a teenager).
Mine looks like "sun rash" or "sun poisoning." Didn't used to happen. Started four months into therapy and my first spring/summer since beginning treatment (but this is not my first spring/summer with BB).
Not sure what will help. Please let me know if you stumble across something.
Posted by JaimeeS (Member # 11983) on :
I'd be interested to hear if you stumble across anything also. My 1 year old was bitten by a tick, developed the bullseye, had a small course of treatment and now Dr. J thinks he's ok.
However, he also has a reaction from the sun. It's happened all last summer and already starting this summer.
But the funny thing is, we were in Hawaii last April - he was PERFECTLY FINE during that vacation - started with the sun rashes after the darn tick bite. I really believe they are caused or a reaction to Lyme (although Dr. J still thinks he's ok).
It baffles my mind as a mom - I feel so helpless Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
Mackster, are you saying that in Feb 2007 when you broke out in the rash, that you weren't on antibiotics at that time?
If so, I think you should consider one of the co-infections, such as Babesia.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Could be fungal yeasts?
Posted by Mackster (Member # 15300) on :
Not sure what it is...I am not sure exactly when I was bit but the last time I had any sort of fever or was sick like with the "flu" was January of 2007. The sun rash first happened in February.
I was just diagnosed in April of this year so no I wasnt on any abx when the rashes started. I got a negative for Bartonella though my doc thinks I am showing symptoms of it and I was exposed to Babesia but nothing absolutly positive came back from the tests. I dont really have distinct Babesia symptoms just a few here and there that also seem to match the Lyme and Bartonella...
I dont think its the fungal yeasts. I was looking at that yesterday and the rashes dont stay on my skin all year round or anything. Only after slight sunburns (with sunblock) and they last for a week max.
I go back to my LLMD in a couple weeks for a checkup and I will ask him and let ya know if he has any explanations Posted by Gert (Member # 13584) on :
I am also extremely sensitive to the heat....I am Sicilian and used to tan very easily but not anymore. I burn now and get a bad itchy rash.
My eyes are also very sensitive and I can barely stand the sun or heat (and cold). Seems there is no happy medium anymore.
I hope this goes away with more treatment.
Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :
I've started getting heat-like rashes this year upon exposure to the sun, mostly on my face and arms. Small red bumps that often itch, and they are often accompanied by sweats. It's only spring, too, so I dread July and August.
I got a few mosquito bites the other night, and they look horrible and itch like crazy to boot. A couple of them are actually oozing clear liquid.
I'm positive for Lyme and babesia - I'm sure I have more than those two though.
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
I have had small, red bumps that turned into a rash. They have recently increased so much that my PCP sent me to a dermotologist. The results were "reaction to medication" or general allergic reaction. I have been on tetra.
Since we have had sunny days, even though my arms and legs were covered, the rash got much worse. The Dr. suspects sun sensitivity. I truly hope it is just the tetra because I am a sun worshiper! I've not had problems in the past summers when I'm on biaxin/plaquenil combo.
Posted by psano2 (Member # 11711) on :
Mackster, I didn't test positive for Babesia either, but I have had those rashes also, and they are responding to anti Babesia meds (plaquenil, artemesinin, Enula, boneset tea).
You could try some anti-Babesia topicals on it and see what happens, like artemesinin gel. If it makes the rash go away and you herx, then you most likely have Babs.
If you have a rife machine or have access to a rife machine, you could also try rifing with anti Babesia frequencies and see if you herx. That's what I did.
Good luck,
Patti
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Sun poisoning comes in several forms.
I had it once... long before Lyme... after falling asleep on a tin roof when the sun reflected off the metal and ouch ouch ouch!
And for a small fee I'll tell you why I was on the tin roof and why 95 percent of my body was burned.. and about the "rescue".
Once you get sun poison... you can easily get it again... so do be careful.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Just found this.. quite interesting. Note last paragraph... one of the Lyme/coinfection meds.
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How are allergic reactions to the sun treated?
Beyond staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen, we recommend topical corticosteroids to treat the rash.
Some are over-the-counter, such as hydrocortisone, but that's not very potent.
The more severe reactions require a prescription cortisone cream or ointment. For very severe reactions, we have to use oral cortisone to bring down the inflammation.
If we know that someone has polymorphous light eruption every summer, we may give them ultraviolet light treatment as a way to desensitize the skin in the spring.
It's almost like you're going to an allergist for allergy shots. By exposing your skin to ultraviolet light, your system gets used to it. Usually we do about 15 treatments.
The second approach to treat a rash is to use a medication called Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), which is an antimalarial agent that has been used for various skin conditions; it works quite well for polymorphous light eruption.
Before I was diagnosised I would get bad sunburn while wearing spf 50 all over. I was thinking the sunblock was no good, but my wife would use it and not get burned. I always thought that was strange and wondered if there was a conection.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
Skin is an organ system that has detoxification as one of its prime functions.
Vitamin D, which is produced in the skin as a consequence of ultraviolet light energy falling on sucutaneous cholesterol molecules, is a potent metabolic stimulant.
Lymies tend to have low vitamin D levels, and often will have sluggish metabolisms as a result of this, so when a surge in vitamin D level takes place, there will be a sudden surge in metabolism, and a reaction to accumulated subcutaneous toxins as the body attempts to rid itself of these.
One could consider the skin reaction a Herxheimer reaction.
This of course is theoretical. It might be true for some, but not others. Everybody is different.
[ 05. June 2008, 08:10 AM: Message edited by: DoctorLuddite ]
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi All
Google - Photo Toxic --
Babs causes a rash that Itches like crazy - small red raised bumps - looks similar to prickly Heat rash bit a little bigger -
Can have a nerve reaction were scratching one bump -can feel it in a different part of the body --Jay--
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