Izabella Philips says people have mistaken her for an astronaut because of the space-like helmet she needs to wear whenever she leaves her house.
The 21-year-old from Colorado suffers from a condition that makes her allergic to the sun, forcing her to cover up completely to avoid breaking out in hives and a painful rash.
Ms Phillips first noticed itchy red blotches and burning sensation developing all over her body when her skin was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays outside at 14 years old.
After years of appointments with no answers, Ms Phillips was finally diagnosed with polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) last year.
PMLE, a relatively common skin condition thought to affect about 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the US population, mostly women. Ms Phillips just has an extreme sensitivity.
Ms Phillips’s diagnosis now means she has to wear a $1,300 face shield and helmet, as well as gloves, long sleeves and long pants to cover every part of her body.
The content creator must even fully cover up in winter, as any exposure to sunlight – no matter how strong – can cause a flare up of her PMLE, sometimes also called sun poisoning.
Despite her struggles, Ms Phillips claims her new face shield has been life changing and wearing it means she can enjoy time outside with her family safely for the first time in years.
Izabella Philips, who is allergic to the sun, is pictured above in the $1,300 face shield and purple gloves she wears to cover her skin
Ms Philips suffers from PMLE, a relatively common rash caused by sunlight. She is pictured above suffering from a flare up of her condition
Ms Philips said: ‘People definitely stare when I wear the mask and I have been asked different questions.
‘One guy jokingly asked if I was an astronaut as he didn’t realized it was for sun allergies. Others have asked if it was a mask to avoid Covid-19.
‘I would agree that it does look a bit like an astronaut helmet and I laughed this comment off. When I tell people I’m allergic to the sun they definitely seem surprised.’
Now, Ms Philips is using her social media platform to raise awareness of her condition as she claims people are surprised when she tells them she is allergic to light.
She and her family first noticed her rash after being in the sunlight when she was younger, and she would get ‘rashes and burns’ across her body.
Ms Philips said: ‘The rashes would develop where my skin was not covered and burn. It was a red, itchy rash of red dots.’
However, Ms Philips struggled to get an accurate diagnosis. It wasn’t until she was 21 that she finally found her answer.
Ms Philips goes out in her face mask to avoid exposure to the sun’s rays, which would cause a flare up of her PMLE
The above shows Ms Philips’s rash after she was exposed to sunlight. She said it can become itchy and painful
She said: ‘I was relieved when I got diagnosed as we finally had some answers as to why the sunlight was doing this.
‘I was 21 when I got my diagnosis. It’s been years of us looking around to see what could be going on.’
Her diagnosis initially made life difficult, as her family loves going to the park, but because of her condition ‘the sunlight makes it very hard to go out with them without risking burns and rashes and getting sick.’
However, Ms Philips said: ‘[Before getting my mask], I wasn’t able to play outside or enjoy my time with my family outside.
‘This mask has changed my life and made a huge difference. It allows me to go out a lot more now.
‘When I first put it on and went to the park for a couple of hours, I was really happy [as I didn’t burn or get a rash].
‘It’s recommended to wear it every time I leave the house [to protect me] and I wear it as much as possible.’
The above shows Ms Philips’s PMLE rash after she was exposed to sunlight
According to the Mayo Clinic, polymorphic light eruption is a fairly common skin rash triggered by exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light.
It is said to affect more women than men and usually develops in your teens or 20s.
Doctors don’t know what causes it. The Mayo Clinic states the rash appears in people who have developed a sensitivity to sunlight – called photosensitivity – which leads to an immune response that causes the rash.
It can occur in people when they are exposed to any kind of UV light, including from the sun or other sources such as tanning beds.
The condition affects people all year round as UV rays can still be present during the winter months, but it is more common in summer when skin usually covered during cold weather – such as arms, hands and chest – is exposed.
Ms Philips said: ‘The ultraviolet light [is what causes it]. Surprisingly though, even during the winter when it’s cloudy, I can still get rashes and burns so I have to cover everything on my body.
‘The weather is so unpredictable here in Colorado.
‘You don’t know whether it’s going to be super hot or cold but my allergy is a year-round problem as I can also suffer with it in the winter.’
With her new $1,300 mask, the 21-year-old can now safely go outside and spend time with family and friends
The rash typically goes away on its own without complications, like scarring, within 10 days.
PMLE is thought to affect between 10 and 15 percent of people and there is no cure. Reducing UV exposure and avoiding UV rays will help minimize symptoms.
Using sunscreen, avoiding the sun during peak times, covering skin and slowly introducing your skin to the sunlight as temperatures gradually increase throughout the spring can help.
Additionally, anti-itch medications and topical steroids may be used to alleviate any discomfort caused by PMLE.
In addition to her coverings, Ms Phillips also uses two ointments on her face and body to help soothe her rash if she is exposed to sunlight.
She said: ‘There isn’t a cure for this allergy and this is something I’ll have to deal with for the rest of my life.
‘It was quite sad at first but now I realize it makes me different and it’s okay to be different. I just have to adapt and live life with it.’
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