Have you noticed that you get red, itchy or burning skin after you’ve been out in the sun? It could be polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) – a skin rash that’s triggered by sunlight or other ultraviolet (UV) light.
Have you noticed that you get red, itchy or burning skin after you’ve been out in the sun? It could be polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) – a skin rash that’s triggered by sunlight or other ultraviolet (UV) light.
PMLE can feel very uncomfortable – and put a dampener on those summer activities we look forward to, such as beach trips and festivals. It may also leave you feeling self-conscious about how your skin looks.
So read on for all you need to know about PMLE, including the symptoms, who gets it and why it’s different to a ‘prickly heat’ type of rash. You’ll also find information on simple ways you can prevent and treat PMLE, and when you might need to see a doctor – to help make sure you can get out there for fun summer days.
The main symptom of PMLE is a skin rash that appears after you’ve been out in the sun.
What this rash looks like can vary from person to person – which is why it’s called ‘polymorphic’. Some people get a mild rash, while for others it can be more severe. Some people get it once or twice and others get it more often.
But usually, a PMLE rash:
A PMLE rash may also slowly become milder as the summer goes on, as your skin adapts to being exposed to the sun.
PMLE is quite common – here’s what you need to know about who gets it:
We don’t understand exactly why PMLE happens. But it’s thought that an immune reaction that happens in your skin when it’s exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays in sunlight. (These are different from UVB rays, which cause
).This is why it’s common to first notice a rash in the spring – when you may be exposing your skin to sunshine for the first time in months – or if you visit a country that’s sunnier than where you live.
At first, if your skin gets more sun, the rash may get worse and spread. But if you continue to go out into sunshine – over the summer, for example – your skin may become more resistant to sunlight. This may mean you can stay longer in the sun without getting a rash.
Many people with PMLE find that their skin rash appears every spring and happens throughout the summer, before going away in the autumn.
PMLE is sometimes mistaken for a
, also known as ‘prickly heat’. But while it can look similar, prickly heat is caused by warm and humid conditions, rather than sunlight.Plus, unlike heat rash, with PMLE your skin can sometimes adapt and become less sensitive to sunlight over time.
Read more about the symptoms of
, or try our to get more information about any skin symptoms.Although PMLE can’t be cured, the good news is that there are things you can do to prevent it happening – and to treat the discomfort if you do get a rash.
Often, self-care measures and pharmacy treatments can help you manage your condition (although in some cases you may need help from your doctor).
To help prevent PMLE, it’s important to manage your exposure to the sun, and to protect your skin when you’re out and about. So follow these tips:
Check out the
to use.Find useful information on other areas of sun safety with our .
If you get a mild PMLE rash, your pharmacist may recommend the following to help manage your symptoms:
In most cases, your rash will go away within a week or 2.
There is also some evidence that some antioxidant supplements, such as the fern extract Polypodium leucotomos can help. Some small studies suggest that using these before or after your first sun exposure may help prevent PMLE in the first place but discuss this with a pharmacist.
If the self-help and pharmacy treatments above don’t help, or you’re struggling to manage PMLE symptoms, or if you’re not sure what’s causing your rash, then see your doctor.
If you have a rash at your appointment, your doctor will usually be able to diagnose PMLE from this, and a description of your symptoms and when they happen. It’s a good idea to take a photo of your rash, so you can show this to your doctor if it has gone by the time you see them.
In some cases, your doctor may want to do some simple investigations such as
or a (where a small sample of your skin is examined under a microscope).Occasionally, they may refer you to a skin specialist for further tests like a biopsy or rarely, phototesting. This tests your skin with different amounts and wavelengths of light, to see if they cause a rash.
If your rash is severe, your doctor may prescribe a short course of
(such as prednisolone) to reduce skin inflammation.Other possible treatments from a doctor or skin specialist include:
While PMLE can be uncomfortable and upsetting, it doesn’t cause any serious problems, and won’t lead to scarring or
.The rash will usually go away without treatment once your skin is no longer exposed to sunlight. And many people find their skin improves over time. PMLE symptoms can also improve after the
(when you stop having periods).However, if you have very sensitive skin, you may even get a PMLE rash in the winter. If PMLE is a longer term problem for you, the good news is that you can manage it well with the self-care steps and treatments mentioned above.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.