Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of sun allergy you have. For mild cases, simply avoiding the sun for a few days may be enough to resolve the signs and symptoms.

Medications

Creams containing corticosteroids are available over-the-counter and in stronger prescription forms. For a severe allergic skin reaction, your doctor may prescribe a short course of corticosteroid pills, such as prednisone.

The malaria medication hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) may ease the symptoms of some types of sun allergies.

Therapy

If you have a severe sun allergy, your doctor might suggest gradually getting your skin used to sunlight each spring. In phototherapy, a special lamp is used to shine ultraviolet light on areas of your body that are often exposed to the sun. It's generally done a few times a week over several weeks.