Woman, 32, who is allergic to the SUN is forced to live like a vampire
Amy says the allergy has had a dramatic impact on many aspects of her life - and meant she had to spend three weeks of the summer inside
A WOMAN who is allergic to the SUN has been forced to live like a vampire during the heatwave.
Amy Bell, 32, turns lobster red in heat because she suffers from the rare condition solar urticaria.
"My skin feels very hot and itchy to the point of stinging and feels like little bugs are under the skin," she said.
"When it first happened, I thought it was hilarious. Who's allergic to sunlight? It's ridiculous. And I didn't think it would last very long."
Doctors have warned her to keep out of the light, stay covered up and stick to the shade when she goes outside.
Amy, from Sherburn-in-Elmet, near York, said: "This summer, I stayed in for three weeks, with the curtains closed.
"I even ordered milk online from Amazon Prime now despite Aldi being only two doors down from me.
"I can no longer go running outside, unless it is after dark or I wear lots of layers, which are uncomfortable."
A keen volleyball player, she has taken part in beach volleyball tournaments at Bridlington beach for the past two summers.
"I have to wear long sleeves, a cap, buff, leggings and even beach socks," she says. "I play for 20 minutes, then sit in the shade in a beach hut."
She struggles to find fashionable items that offer protection except sports clothes. "I have a great collection of maxi dresses, cardigans, hats and scarves," she added.
She and her partner set up a communications and marketing business, Hey Me! which mainly allows her to work from home.
She added: "For someone who was very active it has been a massive thing to go through.
What is solar uticaria?
- Solar urticaria is a rare condition which means exposure to UV radiation induces hives that can appear in all areas of the skin
- It is considered to be a type of physical uticaria or light sensitivity, which occurs when sunlight causes the release of histamine from cells in the skin called mast cells
- Symptoms include constant itching and pain, which usually develop with a few minutes of exposure
- Long and short wavelength (UVA and UVB) along with visible light are types of light responsible for the condition
- Rashes usually last less than 24 hours
- When large areas of the body are affected the loss of fluid into the skin can lead to light-headedness, headache, nausea and vomiting
- Those aged between 20 and 40 are most at risk though the condition can affect people of any age
- Preventative measures include behavioural modifications, clothing, sunscreen, anthistamines and phototherapy
- The condition was first identified by P. Merklen in 1904, and the first documented case was found in Japan in 1916
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"The main thing for people with skin conditions is that there are massive psychological repercussions and they are undervalued.
"It really affects my mood, almost Jekyll and Hyde like. Sometimes, I can laugh it off, but there will be days when it will defeat me."
While most of us will lament the passing of summer, Amy said: "When it gets to autumn and winter, I feel like a new person."
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