Ultraviolet lamp burn, allergies and safety rules for use. Allergy to UV lamp Allergy to ultraviolet lamp

05.11.2019 -

Allergic reaction to ultraviolet radiation

Allergic reaction to ultraviolet radiation The sun is called photodermatitis (from the Greek words photos - “light” and derma - “skin”). Photodermatitis can develop a few hours after exposure to the sun or after a day or two. The peak of exacerbation of the disease occurs in March-June with a gradual subsidence by autumn. However, if you go on vacation to the southern regions, where there is more ultraviolet radiation, you can expect an exacerbation of the allergic reaction.

Photodermatitis can be hereditary, that is, transmitted genetically, but can develop gradually due to age-related changes, diet, intake medicines, exposure to various pesticides and similar substances.

There are two types sun allergy- primary and secondary photodermatitis. Secondary develops as a consequence of some other disease such as porphyria, pellagra, various hereditary enzymopathies, etc. In this case, the cause of intolerance to ultraviolet rays is known, and treatment of the underlying disease also cures photodermatitis.

Primary photodermatitis can develop when taking substances that cause increased skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), such as medications. While taking these medications, doses of UV radiation that are usually well tolerated may cause sunburn on open areas of skin. If you stop taking medications that cause photosensitivity and avoid direct sunlight, allergic dermatitis passes quickly. Drugs that cause photosensitivity include tetracycline antibiotics, macrolides, cephalosporins, neuroleptics - phenothiazine derivatives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (piroxicam, aspirin), sulfonamide drugs (sulfadimethoxine, biseptol), diuretics (hypothiazide, furosemide), cardiac agents (amiodarone, quinidine), vitamins B2, B6. Ointments containing retinoids, salicylic acid, bergamot oil, roses, sandalwood, parsley juice can become photosensitizers; sunscreens, perfume. Some plants also have a photosensitizing effect: hogweed, quinoa, nettle, ash, sweet clover, angelica, St. John's wort, agrimony, and ranunculaceae.

However, in most cases, the cause of primary photodermatitis is unknown. There is a theory that sun allergy may be associated with some changes in the endocrine system, liver, kidneys (without obvious signs diseases of these organs), which leads to changes in the biochemical composition of the skin and hypersensitivity to UV rays. This theory explains the appearance of allergies at any age.

Light allergy has different clinical manifestations, but the most common is a polymorphic light-dependent rash - the appearance on open areas of the skin of rash elements of various shapes and sizes, sometimes merging into plaques and accompanied by persistent itching. The polymorphic rash usually lasts about 2-3 weeks and gradually goes away. But with repeated exposure to ultraviolet rays, everything repeats itself. Other forms of light allergy (solar urticaria, solar eczema, solar prurigo) are much less common.

Since the reasons for the development of sun allergy are unclear, its treatment is more symptomatic, that is, aimed at relieving individual symptoms of the disease. But first - prevention: avoid or at least spend less time in the sun, wear Sunglasses, cover your skin with clothing as much as possible, use sunscreen.

Antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs for photodermatitis, unfortunately, are not always effective. In case of severe persistent itching, it is preferable to prescribe antihistamines with a pronounced sedative effect (chloropyramine, mebhydrolin, clemastine, hifenadine). For children school age and for people whose activities are associated with increased concentration of attention, it is better to use drugs without a sedative effect (loratadine, cytirizine, etc.). Antihistamines in gel form can be used topically for application to the skin: dimethindene, diphenhydramine (psilo-balm). They are used as desensitizers (reducing the body’s sensitivity to the effects of any substance). injectable drugs: sodium thiosulfate or calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, as well as mild glucocorticoid hormones in the form of cream or ointment (advantan, celestoderm-B, acri-derm, lorinden S, elocom). But all these drugs should be prescribed only by the treating dermatologist.

At home for removal acute manifestations For photodermatitis, in particular burning and itching, you can use traditional medicine.

Make lotions or cold compresses from fresh potato juice or pulp from raw potato tubers.
Mash fresh cabbage leaves with a rolling pin, moisten with natural apple cider vinegar and apply to problem areas of the skin.
Mix chopped fresh cabbage leaves in equal parts with raw egg white and apply to the affected areas of the skin.
Wipe your skin with natural apple cider vinegar or honey.
Wipe your skin several times a day with fresh cucumber juice.
Dilute blue clay with water at room temperature to the consistency of thick sour cream and apply the mixture to itchy areas of the skin for several days.

Relieve itching and reduce inflammation using lotions with infusion of string and calendula, and a decoction of oak bark.

2 tbsp. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over spoons of string grass, leave until cool, strain.
1 tbsp. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over a spoonful of calendula flowers, leave for 10-15 minutes, strain.
2 tbsp. spoons of oak bark pour 200 ml of water, bring to a boil and after 10 minutes remove from heat, leave for 20 minutes, strain.

Hot baths with decoctions of celandine, mint, lemon balm, chamomile, yarrow, tansy, plantain, chicory with the addition of leaves and flowers of linden, viburnum, birch, raspberry, hawthorn, cherry, and currant also help well with photodermatitis.

For a full bath, take 250 g of dry (300-500 g of fresh) raw materials. Take a bath with water temperature 37-39° for 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to take baths 2-3 times a week, preferably at night.

For acute itching, you can use baths with oat decoction.

Grind 1 cup of oat grains in a coffee grinder, add 1 liter of water, bring to a boil and boil for 20-30 minutes. Pour the broth into a bath with a water temperature of 37-38°. Take baths every other day for 15-20 minutes. The number of procedures depends on how you feel.

There are known cases of recovery from photodermatitis by taking teas and decoctions of various compositions.

Allergy to ultraviolet radiation and tanning: risk group and prevention

Even regulars of solariums can unexpectedly encounter such a problem as an allergy to ultraviolet radiation. This article will discuss how to deal with clinical manifestations allergies of this kind, as well as prevention methods.

What is an allergic reaction to ultraviolet light?

Allergy to ultraviolet light - photodermatitis, photodermatosis, caused by a combination of many factors:

the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin and the body as a whole;
exposure to cosmetics (soap, deodorant, eau de toilette, nail polish, lipstick);
medicines, different drugs chemical and animal origin;
pool chlorine;
pollen and even low-quality sunscreen.

An allergic reaction specifically to radiation in a solarium or to this complex of factors is caused by photosensitizers produced in the body of people prone to allergies - substances that increase the sensitivity of the skin to light.

In this case, a tan allergy has symptoms similar to ordinary skin irritation.

Symptoms of an allergy to UV radiation

Every person visiting a solarium should know what symptoms an allergy to a solarium can cause. The most common ones include:

The listed symptoms can appear both in the first seconds and after 2-3 hours and even within several days after a tanning session. Signs of a true or false allergic reaction can appear on any part of the body: chest, arms, legs, face.

Early diagnosis warning signs will help ensure that allergies are successfully treated and do not cause complications.

Treatment of allergies to tanning in a solarium

Treatment should begin with identifying the exact causes of the allergy. But if you can’t get tested and consult a doctor, start by eliminating any medications, cosmetics (especially decorative cosmetics) that could cause irritation, or by temporarily stopping visiting the solarium if, for example, it’s impossible to stop taking medications.

Relieve mild symptoms Allergies may include ointments containing zinc, dexamethasone, betamethasone, lanolin, prednisone, methirulacil, as well as fenistil gel and Zyrtec drops. There is no need to self-medicate and cover yourself with sour cream, kefir and butter- all this can only worsen the allergic reaction.

But juices from cucumber, cabbage, and potatoes can be beneficial.

Drinking large amounts of still water will help quickly remove toxins from the body. Vitamins B, E, ascorbic acid, a nicotinic acid, antioxidants and regular aspirin will contribute to a speedy recovery. After consulting a doctor, you can try using indomethacin, suprastin, claritin, tavegil.

It is important not to delay visiting a dermatologist at the first signs of allergies, otherwise they may develop into eczema.

Who is at risk

Not only medications and cosmetics can enhance the negative effects of UV rays on the epidermis. A number of diseases age-related changes And various states(for example, weakened immunity after illness) also contribute to an aggravated reaction of the human body to ultraviolet radiation. The risk group includes:

Prevention

Before going to the solarium, consult your doctor, especially if you have or had an allergy to the sun in childhood, as well as other types of allergies.

Do not wear cosmetics when visiting a solarium. It is also recommended to exclude diuretics and pharmacological preparations for the treatment of diabetes. In addition, it is strongly recommended not to visit the solarium while being treated with antibiotics and sulfa drugs. Try not to come into contact with bleach and other disinfectants.

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For prevention and treatment allergic diseases our readers advise using the product " Alergyx". Unlike other products, Alergyx shows lasting and stable results. Already on the 5th day of use, allergy symptoms decrease, and after 1 course it goes away completely. The product can be used both for prevention and for relieving acute manifestations.

Allergy to ultraviolet causes

Photodermatitis (ultraviolet allergy) is a disease that occurs when the skin is hypersensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Causes of this disease are quite diverse and are divided into two groups: Internal (endogenous), in this situation the sun manifests its allergic effect when interacting with a special substance located inside the skin. The trigger mechanism for this form of photodermatitis is disorders of the immune system and metabolism. This group of reasons is quite rare.

External (exogenous), in this case, the disease occurs when sunlight comes into contact with a certain substance located on the skin. This group of reasons is the most common in the development of this pathology. These include various creams and lotions, including sunscreens, deodorants, perfumes, soaps and lipstick. Some drugs (antihistamines, oral contraceptives and others). Most often, allergies to ultraviolet radiation occur in fair-skinned people and children. The risk group also includes people suffering from endocrine diseases.

Symptoms of the disease

Most often, an allergy to ultraviolet radiation manifests itself in the form of redness of the skin, peeling, blistering, and rash. At the same time, a person experiences unbearable itching, as a result of which scratches form, which can become inflamed. In severe cases, if left untreated, eczema or severe allergic reactions may develop, e.g. anaphylactic shock(this form is extremely rare).

Treatment of photodermatitis

No matter how trivial it may sound, but first of all you need to see a doctor and find out the cause of the disease. Otherwise, relapses and complications of sun allergy will occur. He will also describe all the treatment point by point:

If the allergy is a consequence of the use of any cosmetic product, then you must stop using it.

To remove allergens from the body, use sorbents and enhanced drinking regime(2.5 liters of fluid per day).

The use of antihistamines and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are not capable of triggering the occurrence of this allergy. Medicines can be prescribed either in the form of creams or tablets.

IN for preventive purposes After healing, it is necessary to reduce the time spent in the sun, abandon the solarium and, possibly, change some cosmetics.

Allergy to UV lamp when drying nails

Any woman wants her hands to look neat and well-groomed. Currently, coating the nail plate with gel polish is very popular. This manicure is amazingly durable. It can last up to 3 weeks until the nails grow back. Initially, gel polish has a liquid consistency. In order for it to harden, the coating is applied in several layers and dried using a special ultraviolet lamp or its more advanced analogue - an LED lamp. Similar actions are performed when building with polymers. However, an allergy to a nail drying lamp can prevent you from enjoying a beautiful manicure.

Reasons for the reaction

The operating principle of a UV lamp is the emission of waves in the range of 280-400 nm. Gel polish contains a compound called “photoinitiator”; it promotes hardening and density of the composition under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The lamp has reflectors that allow you to maintain the necessary lighting as much as possible.

UV radiation can cause negative reactions of varying severity - photodermatoses. They can appear at any age.

With the traumatic effect of rays. Direct damage occurs skin– burns. The reason for this may be too powerful radiation or keeping your hands in the device for too long. This reaction is not related to allergies. You should reduce the UV load, and the unpleasant symptoms will cease to bother you. After the affected areas have healed and recovered, the manicure can be done again.
With the development of sensitization. This is increased immune sensitivity. UV rays stimulate basophils - immune cells. They provoke excessive synthesis of enzymes - histamine, serotonin, which are activators of allergic processes.

The risk of allergies is increased if:

very fair skin, sensitive to the sun;
photosensitizers (increasing sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation) were taken. These are diuretics, tetracycline, contraceptives with high content estrogen, antipsychotics, blood sugar lowering agents, medications containing St. John's wort, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.;
present atopic dermatitis or other skin diseases of allergic origin;
have diabetes endocrine disorders, infectious diseases, kidney and liver pathologies, etc.;
regularly takes alcohol;
before the procedure, foods that increase sensitivity were consumed - celery, citrus fruits, carrots;
There is genetic predisposition to allergies (parents were allergic) or already have an allergy to something.

Sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation increases in summer, when the sun is at its most active. But an allergy to a UV nail lamp can occur at any time of the year.

The professional skills of the master are also important. He must clearly understand what intensity and exposure time should be chosen when using different brands of gel polishes. Hypersensitivity can also be caused by applying too thick a layer of coating, since the time of contact with ultraviolet radiation will increase. It also happens that the quality of the UV lamp itself leaves much to be desired.

It is worth understanding that the reaction is not always associated with UV radiation. It can be caused by low-quality gel polish containing toxic compounds, in particular formaldehyde derivatives, toluene, and rosin. Most often, cheap, low-quality products come from China. The coating may also be expired or improperly stored. The composition, even a high-quality one, can cause inflammation when it penetrates the wound if the technician worked carelessly and damaged the cuticle. Allergies are also possible to products used to treat your hands (creams, lotions, cuticle oils).

Symptoms

It is important to be able to distinguish a burn from photosensitivity.

Characteristics of a burn:

hyperemia (redness);
pain that gets worse when you move your fingers;
edema;
the appearance of bubbles and blisters. They can be hollow or filled with a yellowish serous fluid.

There is an increase in local temperature at the burn site. There is a feeling of hot skin heated by the sun. After a few days, the inflammation heals, sometimes the epidermis peels off. When the blisters collapse, erosions appear, covered with crusts of dried serous fluid. If you do not properly care for the affected areas, scarring may occur.

The burn has clear boundaries. An allergic reaction can spread beyond areas in contact with the lamp, since the immune system. Signs of a reaction may appear internally and outside palms, as the lamp uses reflectors. Possible damage to the wrists, hands, and forearms.

Photosensitivity is characterized by:

bright hyperemia;
slight soreness;
swelling;
severe itching;
dry skin, peeling;
rashes (vesicles, nodules, blisters);
sometimes – respiratory symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, lacrimation;
extremely rarely - Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. In this case, you cannot do without emergency help.

A reaction to a UV lamp may appear immediately after exposure to radiation or after several hours. Symptoms may persist for several days, then the skin recovers, the blisters disappear, and scars do not form.

If you have photodamage, you should never scratch the itchy skin. Wounds form and infection can occur there. Suppuration will begin, which will not be easy to cure.

Treatment

You should consult a dermatologist. He will tell you exactly what should be treated - a burn or an immune reaction, and will prescribe necessary medications. The specialist will also be able to determine whether there is radiation injury or whether hypersensitivity is caused by other reasons (taking medications, poor-quality manicure products, etc.). For this purpose, allergy tests are carried out.

What not to do during treatment:

rub the inflamed areas;
use soap and any other detergents, if contact with hands is possible;
use household chemicals and cosmetics that can get on the affected areas;
apply to problem areas oils or any formulations, the use of which has not been approved by a doctor.

To reduce the likelihood of infection, you must avoid contact with a potentially hazardous environment. It is better not to work with soil in the garden, not to remove garbage, etc.

Drug therapy

Antihistamines - Fenistil, Loratadine, Erius, Zodak, Tavegil, Kestin, Zirtek, Suprastin, etc.
Products for external application to affected areas that eliminate itching - Fenistil-gel, Mometasone, Dermodrin, Elokom, Bepanten, etc.
Hormonal agents for quickly eliminating lesions - Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, Sinaflan.

Traditional methods

They must be used with caution, as an additional allergic reaction may occur.

Freeze ice cubes from decoctions of oak bark and calendula. Apply ice to inflamed areas. You can also make lotions.
A paste of grated fresh cucumber or potato relieves itching.
Grind 100 g of fresh peeled pumpkin in a blender and apply for 20 minutes.
Lotions made from black and green tea help with itching.
4 tbsp. l. pour 250 ml of boiling water over calendula, plantain and chamomile and leave the infusion overnight. Wipe affected areas.
Dissolve 1 g mummy in 100 ml warm water. Lubricate the skin with the solution.