Sunlight and sweat cause itching; wear thin long sleeves to protect your skin.

I think I also developed a sun allergy.

It seems that when the sunlight is too strong, a rash develops.

Even if it's hot, I should wear long sleeves.

 

 

✔️ When core body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate, triggering a response

The causes of hives that occur during the summer are very diverse. People sensitive to sunlight are exposed to sun-induced hives. This is because the skin reacts hypersensitively to ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light. Additionally, when the internal core body temperature suddenly rises due to hot weather, cholinergic hives may also appear.

When core body temperature rises, a substance called acetylcholine is secreted at nerve endings, causing blood vessels to dilate and leading to hives. Since core body temperature is affected by the surrounding temperature, it is suspected that hot weather in summer causes more cholinergic hives.
 

Summer does not only bring hives caused by hot weather. Cold urticaria can also occur when exposed to cold air like air conditioning, cold water, or cold foods. People with a cold urticaria tendency should avoid sudden immersion in cold water. This is because blood vessels can suddenly dilate, putting strain on the heart. It is recommended to do sufficient warm-up exercises before swimming.

During the summer, when you sweat a lot, your skin may turn red and swell. This is a symptom of hives caused by water. In summer, it is also easy to get bitten by insects during outdoor activities. When bitten by an insect, the skin swells and becomes itchy because the toxic substances from the insect are recognized as foreign substances by the body. This is a type of allergic reaction.
 

Cold compresses are effective when hives symptoms are mild. Reducing skin irritation by scratching and having antihistamines on hand can help if taken for a day or two when symptoms appear. However, if you experience shortness of breath along with hives, you should go to the emergency room immediately. It could be a sign of airway swelling.

If symptoms do not improve despite taking antihistamines, you should visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Usually, treatment is completed in about two weeks, but in severe cases, longer treatment may be necessary.
 

Managing lifestyle habits is important to prevent hives. During the summer, it is helpful to record the situations in which hives recur to identify the causes. People sensitive to strong sunlight should apply sunscreen and wear thin long-sleeved clothes to protect their skin. To prevent cholinergic hives, it is advisable to avoid situations that raise body temperature. During summer, it is recommended to avoid outdoor exercise and saunas.

It is easy to think that the cause of hives is food, but in reality, medications or health supplements are more often the cause. Checking the ingredients you are unknowingly consuming and reviewing the medications or supplements you are taking can also help prevent hives.

Reporter Lee Min-young lee.minyoung@joongang.co.kr