Julia Sanchez calls sante24 directly from her vacation on her mobile phone: "I was at the beach today, applied a lot of cream as usual and now I suddenly have spots that feel and look like sunburn on my décolleté and neck. It doesn't affect the whole area, but almost looks like small and larger splashes. It burns and itches and is really unpleasant." The sante24 health advisor asks Julia Sanchez to take photos of the affected areas with her smartphone and send them so that one of the doctors can take a look and call her back.
Can sunburn look like splashes?
After looking at the photos, the sante24 doctor is certain: this is what is known as "eau-de-toilette" dermatitis. Translated, this is a sunburn that occurs because a perfume sprayed on the skin has probably made the skin more sensitive to UV light. A sunburn or burn can then actually develop in precisely these areas, which then looks like a splatter.
What substances can cause this increased UV sensitization?
It can be substances that come into contact with the skin from outside, but also ingested substances such as medication. External substances are often perfume additives or plants or plant juices. In the case of plants, the sunburn is sometimes really in the shape of a leaf or is exactly where the plant sap has dripped onto the skin. In the case of perfumed products, the appearance depends on the method of application and can, for example, take the form of splashes or be extensive if, for example, a perfumed cream was applied over a large area.
What are the effects of taking medication?
Medication usually affects the whole body or the areas of the body that are particularly exposed to sunlight. It is then indistinguishable from sunburn in terms of appearance and you have to do some detective work and remember - if the UV sensitivity appears abnormal for the tanning or skin type - to ask whether special medication is being taken. Symptoms can occur very soon after tanning, but also after hours or even days.
What can I do about the burning and itching?
The effects of sunburn, such as skin tightening, burning or itching, can be treated with cooling gels or creams, e.g. with aloe vera or, very pleasant to apply for children, with foam lotions. Cooling compresses also help. If the burn is more severe, it is worth consulting a pharmacy or even a doctor (as soon as blisters form). In this case, it is sometimes necessary to use prescription substances or seek medical treatment for the blisters. In the days that follow, the burnt areas should not be exposed to the sun if possible so that the skin can heal and regenerate.
Should I expect any consequences?
Unfortunately, this may be the case, as this type of UV dermatitis tends to leave behind increased pigmentation, sometimes in the form of streaks, in the affected areas. If the hyperpigmentation is very severe or bothersome, dermatocosmetic after-treatment may sometimes be necessary, e.g. by means of light peel therapy.
Julia Sanchez actually has an after-sun lotion containing aloe vera in her luggage and tries to use it to alleviate the symptoms. There is also a pharmacy close to the hotel. The next day, instead of the beach, an excursion with visits to museums is planned anyway. The perfume that Julia Sanchez habitually sprays on her décolleté and neck in the morning before breakfast is "banished" to the cupboard for the rest of the vacation so that it can do no more damage.
Dr. med. Silke Schmitt Oggier is the Medical Director of sante24. The sante24 telephone health advice service is a central service provided by SWICAwhich is available free of charge to SWICA policyholders for all health-related questions on 044 404 86 86. If necessary, the specialists at sante24 will arrange an appointment with a doctor and thus create the basis for coordinated and targeted treatment - from the initial consultation to the conclusion of therapy.
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