Here Comes the Sun
by Eva Briggs, MD
Now that summer’s on its way, there’s more chance you’ll be playing music outside, taking your guitar to the park, or entertaining your community at an open-air concert. What could be more enjoyable? Just be sure that you are prepared for lengthy exposure to the sun—as the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be bad for you! The skin is especially vulnerable to too much sunlight; below are some common sun-related ailments.
Sun Poisoning
The proper name is polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). It’s an itching, burning, or stinging rash that begins a few hours after sun exposure. Bumps, blisters, and target-shaped lesions last for up to a week and heal without scarring. PMLE is usually worst after the first spring sunbath and lessens as the season progresses. Sunscreen reduces but doesn’t eliminate the risk for the one out of 10 people susceptible to PMLE. Cortisone cream and antihistamines usually relieve the symptoms, and only the most severe cases require prescription medicines.
Citrus Rash
You may put a lime in your drink, but don’t put it on your skin, or you might fall victim to a rash called phytophotodermatitis. Certain plants used in cosmetics, such as citruses, as well as celery contain chemicals called furocoumarins. By themselves, these substances are innocuous. But touch them to the skin, add ultraviolet A light, and you have the recipe for a rash. It’s a chemical effect, not an allergy, so this rash can happen to anyone. Initial symptoms of blistering and irritation start about a day after exposure and last for up to three days. The inflammation fades and is replaced by dark areas of increased pigmentation that last months or even years.
Berloque Dermatitis
This rash was first noticed on persons using eau de cologne. The rash comes from contact with oil of bergamot, a species of small fragrant orange, and shows up when the oily skin is exposed to the sun. Berloque dermatitis, also called perfume phototoxicity, forms dark streaks or drops on the chest or face, or any sun-exposed site where the user has dabbed bergamot perfume.
Cold Sores
That’s right, the virus that causes cold sores has the nasty habit of springing into action when the skin is damaged, as by sun exposure, a fact that isn’t reflected by the common name of this condition. These painful blisters are no fun for anyone, but they can really put a damper on the embouchure of a wind player. Mild outbreaks may be helped by the antiviral acyclovir cream which is available over-the-counter. Prescription antiviral pills are more potent and can be started at very first hint of an outbreak, or used in a low daily dose to prevent recurrences.
Cataracts
You might have to lobby the music director to wear a hat and sunglasses while you play, but you’ve got a solid argument. Long-term exposure to UV radiation, accumulating over the years, is a major risk factor for cataracts—cloudiness in the eye’s lens that blurs vision. Sunglasses that block 99% of the UV radiation are best. Because light can leak around the edges of sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking contact lenses boost protection from damaging solar radiation.
