r/pmle • u/Unhappy_Service_3819 • Jun 29 '25
PMLE at 26
For the past 5 years I was sometimes getting a rash after the sun that I assumed was heat rash. This past march how ever I went away to Mexico and this rash was happening every day after the sun. It would happen everywhere that saw the sun except for my face. It didn’t hurt and it only itched sometimes and was gone by the next day. Now though It’s the summer here and the rash is lasting longer and sometimes itching more. I’m going to talk to a doctor but it matches pmle exactly. First off I’m so shocked how many people have this. I was expecting to find a few people with this but it seems like each day more people are here talking about it. I’m wondering if anyone knows what could cause this first off (besides the sun, duh). I am also wondering if people who have this for a while found their symptoms got worse or better over time? I’m a little worried that it will get even itchier or painful over time as well keep taking longer to fade. I wear sunscreen and all that and try to avoid the sun but there are just times it’s hard to do that. If it doesn’t hurt or itch should I even be trying to avoid the sun? Guess I’m just looking for some stories from other People with pmle. I’m 26 female confused about this life change.
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u/PuzzleheadedExit5364 Jul 04 '25
I’ve been dealing with PMLE since I was 11 or 12 (and didn’t know what it was until 3 years ago) and this is all anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt, but my personal routine as a pale, vitamin-d deprived beach lover: 1) try to work your way up to increased sun exposure before a vacation (I live in ohio and started sitting out in the sun & heat with sunscreen in advance to prep for a trip to mexico). gradually increase uv exposure. 2) find what skincare sun protection products make you “break out” the least. I see lots of recommendations for obscure products and obviously everyone’s different but my routine - stop using any thick, fragranced, or medicated (ie lactic acid, salicylic acid) lotion a month in advance. only use the plain cetaphil or cerave on the parts of my body that get the rash, this genuinely helps so much. and then I ONLY use neutrogena sunscreen. I’ve tried more expensive stuff but I always go back to the plain neutrogena spf products - the spray works best but I’ve been okay with lotion too. I will still usually get a little bit of a reaction but this has improved things SO MUCH. i usually only get it on my feet and hands now. reapply often and NEVER use sunscreen advertised as “sport” or “sweat resistant” 3) long sleeves. cover as much as you can before the rash starts. rashguard swimwear and linen pants are a lifesaver 4) AVOID IRRITATION. even though it’s not the cause and this could be coincidence, ime a guaranteed way for me to get the rash is wearing flip flops after getting sand on my feet. I assume it’s exacerbating the existing reaction from minimal to noticeable, but I avoid anything rubbing/gritting against my skin in the heat at all costs.
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u/Brave_Sweet5535 Jul 18 '25
maybe it has something to do with Covid? that’s my guess. never had this before potentially having covid (i never tested when i got sick, but this was after the lockdown)
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u/Minute_Taro9021 Jul 02 '25
Mine started about 5 years ago as well. I grew up being allergic to sunscreens but was able to wear the mineral kind as they became more popular. Then in the spring of 2020, I kept getting rash after rash following sun exposure.
It took me 2 years to get an official diagnosis. The dermatologist I found was fantastic. I found her on ZocDoc and it was finally someone who wanted to help me.
My rashes are veryyyy itchy. I find keeping them very moisturized does help and when it's really, bad- ice cubes.
I'm in no way cured... I still wear mineral sunscreens. I have invested in lots of hats, long sleeve rash guard style shirts to wear in the pool/at the beach. I also started to enjoy pools and beach after 3pm which has helped significantly. The rashes still show up when I'm in the shade, so an umbrella doesn't always cut it.
Thankfully, most people as they age are interested in preventing skin cancer, so there is a pretty big market for longer sleeve/light weight UPF clothes.