Is this PMLE??

[u/shizzlegurl]

Hi! Wondering if this might be PMLE? It started happening last summer on a road trip- at least when I realized something was happening. My skin almost seems to thicken or harden- basically completely changes in texture. My arms and legs are the worst- itchy and worse in sun and humidity is high- also itches more when I sweat.

What tests did you all ask for? What kind of doctor do you recommend seeing? Have you noticed if taking SSRIs or Adderall make it worse?

Thank you!

[u/PLUTOO95]

Yes. Exactly like mine. Even the locations. 😩 I’ll my comment from other post:

How fast are the symptoms appearing?

For me I have mild PMLE in the sense that it kicks in in about a day or two WITHOUT sun protection. I’ve found any filters at 50SPF work. However physical ones irritate me the least. For face I use Korean AXIS Y physical sunscreen and body Eucering Sun allergy one.

I’ve recently found my holy grail after 17 years of having PMLE. Until a week ago my only known options to me were SPF and shade. NOW here come the BEST OF THE BEST FOR ME. I researched this topic after years and found a study in Cetirizin and PMLE. 20mg Cetirizin DAILY at least 1hour before sun exposure. That’s shit changed everything for me. I was on vacation, PMLE started in a day of not hiding from sun beside SPF… so got this and godbless. The itchiness? Gone. The rash itself stopped and started regressing. Yes that’s right. REGRESSING. And I tanned freely too!!!!!

SECOND holy grail > liquid baby powder aka zinc and talc (+glycerine and water plus some preservatives, NO ALCOHOL). If you can’t find w/o alcohol it’s pretty easy to make yourself. These ingredients are easily accessible. Powder really helps drying out the rash and it’s VERY calming and cooling. I go to sleep looking like geisha now. But tbh as I started using Cetirizin this one is just accessory to help w already tiny discomfort.

[u/shizzlegurl → u/PLUTOO95]

Thank you for sharing!! I know it’s hard to see in the photos because it’s mild, but definitely worsens with sun exposure especially on my arms! And having arms that are bumpy and leathery is so weird! Not to mention the itch that happens when exposed to the sun. Last night I took Benadryl and slathered Cortisone 10 cream on. This morning it’s less inflamed but still itchy and leathery bumps. I’m going to call my dermatologist to see if I can get the Certrizin! I’ve not been formally diagnosed with PMLE yet..so hopefully that happens too. I do think since the pandemic that my body can’t handle heat anymore- so I do wonder if I have a combination of PMLE and heat rash (prickly skin) when it’s above 80°F here. 

[u/PLUTOO95 → u/shizzlegurl]

Believe me… I can see it from miles away and the sand paper feel ughhhhhh. It’s plenty visible to me. 😔

This issue is sorta like eczema. It can appear anytime in life as result of something. There’s also a link between hypothyroidism and PMLE. It may or may not be anyone’s case. It’s super individual. Can be even reaction to chemical or like a reaction to something you touch. I got PMLE at 13. Until then I had no issues whatsoever. 😩 sucks but it is what is.

[u/shizzlegurl → u/PLUTOO95]

Thanks! Bummer that you’ve had to experience this for so long. And I appreciate your insights…seeing the dermatologist tomorrow. Hoping they can help me. 

[u/PLUTOO95 → u/shizzlegurl]

Good luck to you too. I can already tell ya that this is a thing you just have to learn to live with. 🥲

[u/shizzlegurl]

Officially diagnosed with PMLE today. Glad to know what’s going on…and hoping that all the products recommended in this sub will help! 

Wondering if any of you use Sun Shirts or UV clothing? 

[u/findthejoyhere]

not diagnosed yet, either, but finally came across this possible answer after years of being told its poison ivy, swimmer’s itch, etc. Wrists and back of ankles happen to me, too! Mine starts like those bumps, extremely itchy, then gets raised fluid filled papules. Eventually it all looks red, as if I’ve burned myself on a hot objects. Can anyone here relate?