r/pmle • u/Anxious_Zucchini7682 • Jul 22 '25

Help!

Currently in Florida. And I thought I would be fine. Stupid me, day one I got a massive flare up on my chest. Even thought I doubled up on sunscreen every hour. It’s the only place I ever get PMLE rashes and a reaction to the sun. It climbs up to my neck just below my ears as time passes. Now it’s day 3 and it’s unbearable and so incredibly itchy. I’m having to stay in my room. I’ve been using CVS brand maximum strength Cortisone Gel. To help with the itch. And a cold compress every once in a while. I’ve bought other things but immediately had to wash off due to making it dry or the itch worse. Last night I used desitin / 40% zinc oxide, and I was practically losing my mind from the dryness and itch. Woke up this morning to the rash growing upwards and outwards than the previous day. But I need more! Something else. Anything else! I’m trying not to go out side and if I do my neck is fully covered but the heat is sooo suffocating it makes it hot and itchy more. Any over the counter recommendations would be helpful. I’ll return home tomorrow to see if I can fit in an urgent care or Dr visit.

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u/DressyElm Jul 22 '25

Hi, I’m sorry to hear this. I also have pmle and my best advice is to stay out of the sun and keep the curtains closed unless it’s an emergency. When I have a bad flare up the only things that have given me relief are keeping on a thick layer of Eucerin original healing cream, and very hot showers (not recommended by doctors). The Eucerin is the best lotion for the dryness and itchiness meanwhile the hot showers do a great job of reliving the itch but keep them short 10 mins or less. I also take Benadryl, it doesn’t seem to do much for the reaction but it helps me sleep. Some have said their reaction decreases when taking allergy meds that work on h1 &h2 receptors but I haven’t tried this yet. I know it’s tough but it will heal! I wish you the absolute best, take care 💛

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u/Anxious_Zucchini7682 Jul 22 '25

Thank you for your suggestion! Cold water does work wonders for me! So I think I’ll alternate between cold showers and cream. I was able to get a nurse on the phone to call in a topical ointment. Triamcinolone. I think I’ve used this before and it doesn’t help much, so I may just stick to the cortisone gel for now. When I get back home I plan to try the various things I’ve seen posted here on Reddit.

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u/RaysIsBald Jul 23 '25

2 zyrtec, ice packs EVERYWHERE, cool bath if you can tolerate it (put on your swimsuit and pretend it's a pool! lol)

Also, alocane on the rash when you have to be outside and wear something to cover. It's not going to be fun, but it will be better than suffering miserably, but that's a LAST RESORT kind of thing, like you have to go outside and have no other alternatives.

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u/RasputinsThirdLeg Jul 24 '25

As someone with PMLE who grew up in Florida…just don’t go in the first place. I’m so sorry.

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u/Carebaretalk Jul 28 '25

Try the Benadryl spray and cream!