Photo Allergy after sleeve?

[woo woo 872]

Hello all,

I have developed a photo allergy post-sleeve, just wondering if anyone else has developed something like this.

After x amount of sun exposure (vacation type levels, not day to day type of exposure) I will get puffy eyes and tiny, itchy pustules. They start on the chest and move to the arms and legs if sun exposure continues.

I am 19 months post op but this first happened at 6 months out. Have had 4 total episodes since. Never before surgery.

I was originally thinking it was an allergy to something else, but I have finally been able to narrow it to just sun.

Anyone else? I am wondering if it's worth a dermatologist visit or if the only thing to do is to just stay out of the sun.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I personally would see a dermatologist just to rule other things out. I have not had this issue, but I have a friend (non-WLS person) who occasionally has this when using sunscreens that have coconut oil in them. By any chance are you using a different sunscreen when you are vacationing that might cause it? Hers only occurs when we are vacationing and she uses it several times in a row. Using it here once in a blue moon doesn't cause the problem. Just thought I would share that...

[HopeandAgony 566]

I developed this same reaction a few years ago and have had it since (long before my sleeve). My sister also developed it. For us it was not related to anything accept normal aging.

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[woo woo 872]

Was it a doctor that told you this was due to aging? May I ask your age range? I was 40 when this first happened.

Have you found anything that helps with it?

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[HopeandAgony 566]

I am 38 and noticed it a few years ago. My sister is 5 years older and noticed it last year. My dermatologist told me is was due to aging and changes in the skin. Ours occurs in the first few sun exposures of the year (we live in Chicago with 4 seasons) and any time after that where we spend several hours in the sun. Talk to a dermatologist.

I always wear sunscreen now and rarely have an issue. My sister isn't great with her sunscreen so still experiences issues and often times has to take benedryl for the itching.

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Edited March 28, 2016 by HopeandAgony

[RILEYSMOM22 344]

I have gotten this since I was in my 30s, usually just on my forearms. I use a benedryl gel. Once I get a light tan, it subsides for the year. It took a while before I connected it to sun exposure. The itching is awful.

[woo woo 872]

@@RILEYSMOM22 This might be a dumb question, but does the gel make you sleepy?

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[woo woo 872]

@@Daisee68 I switched to only mineral based sunscreen because I thought it was the chemical based ones making me sick. Then the bumps still came back, unfortunately.

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[RILEYSMOM22 344]

@@RILEYSMOM22 This might be a dumb question, but does the gel make you sleepy?

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Not that I have noticed. That didn't occur to me.

[Julie norton 2,850]

I get the rash like bumps on my feet while vacationing in warm places. Maybe I don't sunscreen them? I (do wear flip flops)Never happened when I was young!

Yes they itch and I bring spray benedryl with me or it begins to look and feel like poison oak.

Always goes away when I'm not in tropical places.

Didn't start til my late 40's

No rhyme or reason