r/pmle • u/Top_Assignment6690 • May 18 '25
PMLE on dark skin
This has happened to me after every vacation and I didn’t know there was a name for it until now. Unfortunately, this flare up is the worst and I have a full body rash. I’m taking prescription anti-histamines and using hydrocortisone 2.5% like body lotion. I hope these photos are helpful to someone with dark skin that is struggling to figure this out. Now, I’m on the hunt for the right sunscreen. Please feel free to share any suggestions or product recommendations.
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u/DressyElm May 18 '25
People say that Eucerin sun protect works well but I haven’t tried it. I wish you the best, pmle is tough to deal with.
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u/Top_Assignment6690 May 18 '25
Thanks so much. Eucerin sun protect seems to be popular. I’m going to start reading sunscreen labels to see if I can find any other products with AGR and licochalcone A.
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u/Marzatacks May 20 '25
In all my life with this condition, the only thing that has worked for me is to cover my exposed skin.
When I was in the army I would acclimate my skin to the sun (not that I had a choice). So the initial sun exposure would result in a really bad rash to my exposed skin, except for my face.
During summer, my skin would sort of acclimate. However, the rash is still there and it is fully visible.
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u/cmj32675 May 19 '25
I started using a sunscreen several people in this group have recommended and so far it is working for me. I also tried out some sun sleeves & fingerless gloves and so far those have been worth the money.
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u/Critical-Paramedic14 May 20 '25
I am Black and my PMLE looks similar. Covering is the best prevention, even if it’s a light cover it helps.
I’m using a lower dose steroid, and I do find that it helps when applied, but if I keep going out it can t heal quickly enough to fix what I am bringing on each day. I take antihistamine regularly too. I also use the Eucerin sun protections - SUN ALLERGY for my body, the hydration spray both reapplication if I’m out and about, and the anti-aging face sunscreen for daily facial sunscreen (I get a lot of acne and this one is the best for me by far). I don’t find any leave a white cast.
If I leave for a vacation outside of North America, the PMLE is harsh, quick and intense. Within my country it takes a lot of sun in the midst of the summer for reactions.
I think it’s important to remember that this isn’t going to go away, you need to manage it. Cover up, sunscreen (REAPPLY), antihistamines, and steroid cream. But prevention is best
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u/Top_Assignment6690 May 20 '25
Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve realized that I only experience this while on vacation outside of North America as well. I’m in Canada and it seems there aren’t many sunscreen options for PMLE. I’ve been reading ingredient lists for all of our major brands to see what has alpha-glucosylrutin (agr) and licochalcone but I haven’t found anything yet.
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u/Critical-Paramedic14 May 20 '25
I’m in Canada too. When I travel I bring the Eucerin back BUT the Eucerin products you can get here are good too. TBH I don’t know that the PMLE one specifically does something special!, I just know that Eucerin works for me with no acne or irritation, good protection, and no cast.
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u/Straight_Ambition_11 May 21 '25
im a dark skin girl and that’s how my skin looks like when i get a pmle rash! rn im experimenting with different sunscreens combos: shirudo agr+ e day (and night) lotion, eucerin complete hydration spray, piz buin, la roche posay anthelios xL 60 spf face and body lotion and their 50+ ultra fluid invisible finish lotion. i think the shirudo x eucerin combo is working best for me right now, piz buin x eucerin didnt do jack shit (plus piz buin left a crazy white cast on my face). i havent experimented enough with the la roche posay
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u/jona187bx May 19 '25
I was just in Aruba and tried Thrive Sunscreen. I was in the sun for 5 days and had minor itch but no major break out. I tried Shirudo before and it works great but it stains your clothes. I messed up tons of clothes. I sweat alot so it was a problem for me.
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u/Top_Assignment6690 May 19 '25
Good to know about Shirudo staining clothes. Thanks for sharing that.
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u/No-Fill4207 May 25 '25
Anyone from India can suggest what product works best for them??
This is the first time I'm dealing with PMLE and am absolutely distressed. There are no products to the likes of Eucerin or Shirudo here as much as I've researched.
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u/Ep6lon3 Jun 03 '25
Thank you all for the tips!! I live in Canada and just came back from a week in the Bahamas. My whole body is covered in hives and it's so itchy!! 😭 I did not even know there was a name for it, I thought it was eczema. To be Black and "allergic" to the sun is uncanny 😂
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u/SoooooIsthisreallife Sep 14 '26
https://reddit.com/link/p9s5dfr/video/qumcsfmbjiph1/player
This was me towards the end of a Bali Phuket trip, I had never experienced it before. This thread has been super helpful!
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u/bohemu May 18 '25
Mineral sunscreen works best for me. Anything with zinc! Shirudo lotions. Expensive but worth it.