Today is European Skin Cancer Prevention Day , and as one of the risk factors is prolonged exposure to the sun, we want to explain some curiosities and myths about sun-associated diseases .
The sun: risk factor for skin cancer
There are several types of skin cancer, where skin cells multiply at a higher rate than normal and cause harmful effects on the body. Most skin cancers can develop as a result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation .
Each type of skin cancer has characteristic lesions based on what type of cell caused the cancer, although once advanced, it may involve other skin cells. Among the best known we have melanoma , basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin .
The consensus among dermatology associations that study all skin conditions is to avoid sun exposure to prevent UV radiation from damaging our cells and increasing the risk of developing some type of cancer.
How do I protect myself from the sun?
The use of clothing or creams that protect against UV radiation is highly recommended, especially between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon. This practice is applicable for people with all types of skin tones , in addition to seeking shade or avoiding outdoor activities in this time slot whenever possible.
Although there are components of genetic predisposition, prevention in these types of skin cancer has proven to be a very important factor. The other determining pillar is an early diagnosis , which influences a more favorable prognosis .
In case of any doubt or suspicious lesion in any area of the skin, from here we recommend consulting a specialist or family doctor to advise what the next step should be.
In addition to skin cancer, other conditions that can be caused by sun exposure are also known. One of the rarest skin diseases is solar urticaria, commonly known as sun allergy.
Is there an allergy to the sun?
Although it may seem strange, there is a type of allergy to the sun and its exact name is chronic inducible solar-type urticaria . Solar urticaria is defined as a skin disease during which blisters, hives, redness or swelling may appear caused by exposure to the sun , more specifically UVA radiation.
Symptoms appear quickly , as soon as a minute in the sun. It is more frequent in women than in men, although in general it is a very rare disease.
How do I know if I am allergic to the sun?
The correct way to know if you suffer from solar urticaria is through a special test with a UVA and UVB lamp in a controlled environment and carried out by a urticaria specialist . All this as long as the clinical history suggests this disease as possible.
Once diagnosed, the first guideline is to avoid exposure as much as possible, since it can cause a serious reaction and be dangerous for the patient. In addition to the sun protection measures mentioned above, antihistamines can also be taken to control symptoms.
In the event that the available measures are not sufficient or the symptoms are very severe , there is the option of starting treatment against the IgE molecule (responsible for allergic reactions), although its effectiveness is not always guaranteed.
Are vampires allergic to the sun?
After everything described about diseases caused by the sun, we can speculate on whether the reaction that vampires suffer from sun exposure can be defined as an “ allergy ”. Whether in books, series or movies, this condition is represented in various ways.
There is a wide spectrum of symptoms that appear when a vampire comes into contact with sunlight. We have from the mildest symptoms that are seen in the Twilight saga to the most serious (even being deadly ), as seen in Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Interview with the Vampire .
However, we don’t often see any of these famous vampires having red , itchy skin or skin lesions that fit an allergic reaction profile.
In the absence of a study conducted with vampires, we can conclude that based on the reactions they suffer when exposed to sunlight, it is not an allergic reaction . Perhaps it could fit more with an exaggerated and accelerated cancer reaction , during which the skin seems to burn or disintegrate.
In any case, today we recommend taking vampires as an example and adopting the necessary measures against sun exposure, because whether due to allergies or cancer, prevention is better than cure.
References:
Currell et al. 2022. Mode of Birth Is Not Associated With Food Allergy Risk in Infants. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. doi: 010.1016/j.jaip.2022.03.031
Kiefer. Solar Urticaria. GA²LEN – UCARE and ACARE. May 13, 2022. Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJpaIBd02IA )
Maurer et al. 2018. How to Approach Chronic Inducible Urticiara. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2018.03.007.
Demaree. Mayo Clinic Health System. Skin cancer and 5 simple steps to help prevent it. 25 de mayo de 2022.
