Home Remedies and Herbs for Sun Sensitivity

Everyone reacts to sunlight to some degree. Your skin uses sunlight, or ultraviolet light, to create vitamin D, which is an important compound used by the body in bone formation.¹ Your skin contains a pigment called melanin, which protects the skin from the sun’s rays.¹ Your body produces more melanin when exposed to the sun, which is what causes sun tanning.¹ Too much sun exposure leads to sunburn and skin damage.¹ Sun sensitivity refers to a range of conditions that occur in people whose bodies react abnormally to sunlight. They might spend short amounts of time outside and experience sunburn and even rash or blisters.

What Causes Sun Sensitivity?

Sun sensitivity causes include a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Fair-skinned individuals are more sensitive to sunlight because they have less melanin in their skin to protect from the sun’s UV rays.² Some medications, such as antibiotic doxycycline, and conditions, like lupus, can increase a person’s sensitivity to the sun.²

Sun Sensitivity Symptoms

People who are sun sensitive are more susceptible to getting sunburns. Sunburn symptoms include tender red skin, peeling skin, and in severe cases, fever, chills, and nausea.² A type of sun sensitivity called photodermatitis can result in rashes, scaly patches, and blisters.³ In extreme cases, people can actually be allergic to the sun in that their immune system reacts to low-level sun exposure and they develop sun sensitivity symptoms like rashes, blisters, hives, and even scaly patches that bleed.⁴

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Sun Sensitivity

Individuals with sun sensitivity can avoid outbreaks through a variety of lifestyle choices such as limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing when in the sun, and applying sunscreen.5 Adding sun sensitivity herbs to your diet can help improve your skin health and reduce your sensitivity to the sun. Topical sun sensitivity herbal remedies can also help improve skin health or help skin heal faster after an outbreak. Start by considering these sun sensitivity home remedies:

• Beta-Carotene - Beta-carotene is a sun sensitivity herbal remedy that you can take orally or apply topically. It helps promote skin health by converting vitamin A in the body, which reduces sensitivity to the sun.
• Aloe Vera - Aloe vera is a popular home remedy for sunburns. It helps soothe the skin and promote healing. Apply it directly to the affected area if you develop sunburn or other sun sensitivity symptoms.
• Rose Water - Rose water is a topical sun sensitivity home remedy that acts to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation in those patients who are affected by sun sensitivity.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/animations/suns-effect-on-skin
2. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/sunburn
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/photodermatitis
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sun-allergy/basics/symptoms/con-20035077
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sun-allergy/basics/prevention/con-20035077