Dr. Eric Treiber, MD

We’ve all heard of sunburns or sun-damaged skin, but in recent years, dermatologists around the country have coined a brand-new phrase known as ‘sun poisoning’. In reality, sun poisoning is actually a new term for a sun-damaged skin condition that has existed for years, known as photodermatoses. According to Dr. Eric Treiber, of Treiber Dermatology, considered to be the top dermatologist Rye has to offer, sun poisoning is quite similar to a sunburn – but consider the worst, most severe sunburn you’ve ever had, far beyond what is generally possible from a normal day at the beach without sunscreen. To begin with, overexposure to the sun is one of the worst things for the health of your skin. The sun, especially during the warm summer months, is at its peak during the middle of the day. And with constant exposure to the midday sun, individuals can expect issues such as sun spots, liver spots, aging skin, wrinkles, rough dry skin, and at its worst, it can cause skin cancer. As the top dermatologist Rye patients trust for their anti-aging skincare needs, Dr. Eric Treiber is constantly advising patients on taking certain precautions against the sun. One thing you’ve probably heard from every dermatologist is to apply high-spf (at least 30) sunscreen before they leave the house every day. One important thing to note, is that just because it may not appear to be too sunny outside, sunscreen is still a necessity as the sun’s harmful UV rays can still penetrate past the clouds and damage the skin, sometimes even more so on these kinds of days – where sun poisoning can become a strong possibility. To better learn about sun poisoning, here are a few common forms of this not-so-common condition.

One of the most common forms of sun poisoning, PMLE is triggered by the sun's UV rays – both UVA and UVB rays. According to Dr. Eric Treiber, the top dermatologist Rye has in practice, PMLE is actually quite common because it can develop quickly, after the first few bouts of overexposure to the sun for the season. One thing you must understand is that people, like with all other things in life, will develop a resistance to sunlight and slowly become acclimated over time. Some of this is of course due to the development a suntan and excess melanin, protecting our formerly farer skin – but for the most part, it is simply a matter of the body becoming slightly used to UV rays. The main symptoms of PMLE to be aware of is the presence of an intense rash, that causes severe itching, especially along the forearms, tops of the hands, thighs, legs, sides of the face and the neck and upper chest area.

Another one of the most common forms of sun poisoning, photoallergic reactions occur when individuals have become sensitives or allergic to oral medications as well as topical creams or products. Often times sunscreens will have similar ingredients and illicit a similar reaction. According to Dr. Eric Treiber and his team at Treiber Dermatology, UVA light is far more likely to trigger these types of reactions than UVB rays. This is important to understand, as UVA rays are just as strong all year round, even in the winter unlike UVB rays. These reactions are quite similar to other inflammatory responses of most allergic reactions.

One of the most rare forms of sun poisoning, but this condition can be the most severe form of sun poisoning as well. Solar urticaria is triggered by any type of UV rays, however, as with most sun poisoning cases, UVA rays are most often the culprit. In some individuals, with even a short time of sun exposure, on a high UV light day, they can develop hives along the skin. And after a long period of full-body exposure to the sun, they can easily go into anaphylactic shock and need to be hospitalized.

For more information on sun poisoning or other sun damaged skin conditions, be sure to contact Treiber Dermatology today.