Mallorca acne
Tanja Unterberger studied journalism and communication science in Vienna. In 2015 she started her work as a medical editor at in Austria. In addition to writing specialist texts, magazine articles and news, the journalist also has experience in podcasting and video production.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.Mallorca acne (also summer acne or acne aestivalis) is a special form of sun allergy (polymorphic light dermatosis). It is caused by solar radiation in combination with fatty care products (e.g. sun cream). The signs are small, itchy lumps and spots on the skin. The symptoms usually subside within a few days if those affected avoid the sun. How Mallorca acne develops, what it looks like and what you can do about it, read here!
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. L56
Brief overview
- Description: Skin reaction in which the sebum glands become clogged and inflamed by sunlight in combination with fatty care products.
- Symptoms: Small nodules (papules) on the skin, raised skin (wheals), severe itching
- Treatment: Avoid renewed sun exposure and oily sunscreens. In some cases, the doctor will prescribe medication (e.g. anti-inflammatory creams, antihistamines, antibiotics).
- Causes: Sun radiation (UVA radiation) in combination with oil-based care products such as sun cream and oily skin
- Diagnosis: talk to the doctor, examine the skin for changes
- Prevention: Gradually accustom the skin to the sun, avoid fatty care products, make sure that there is sufficient sun protection (e.g. fat-free sun cream, clothing)
What is Mallorca acne?
Mallorca acne (also called summer acne or acne aestivalis) is a special form of so-called polymorphic light dermatosis (PLD). Doctors understand this to mean inflammation of the top layer of skin (eczema) caused by exposure to sunlight (UVA radiation).
In Mallorca acne, fats and other ingredients (e.g. emulsifiers) in care products (e.g. sunscreen) in combination with sunlight lead to the sebum glands - more precisely the sebum follicles or hair follicles that surround the sebum gland and open as pores on the surface of the skin clog the skin and become inflamed.
The inflammatory reaction on the skin is then noticeable in the form of small lumps, patches of skin and pustules, which are usually very itchy. These occur mainly on the neck, chest, back, upper arms and shoulders.
Typically, Mallorca acne usually shows up a few hours to a few days after the first extensive sunbathing of the year in spring or at the beginning of the summer vacation. It is therefore also called summer acne and usually occurs seasonally: starting in spring, with the high season in summer and ending in autumn. It is one of the most common light-related skin diseases (photodermatoses or light dermatoses) in Central Europe.
Who is affected?
Most commonly affected by Mallorca acne are younger people and especially women between the ages of 20 and 40, who tend to have oily skin and who are unprepared for long periods of exposure to strong sunlight.
How does Mallorca acne differ from a sun allergy?
A sun allergy is not actually an allergy, but rather a skin reaction that is triggered by sunlight (polymorphic light dermatosis). Mallorca acne is a special or sub-form of this polymorphic light dermatosis. It is caused by the interaction of sunlight (UVA light) and fatty substances (mostly care products such as sun cream).
In this aspect, Mallorca acne can be differentiated from a sun allergy. Because in sun allergy sufferers, the skin reaction is triggered solely by the sun's rays.
The means of prevention also differ for both skin changes: Dermatologists recommend sun creams with a high sun protection factor to people who are prone to sun allergies. In the case of Mallorca acne, however, fat-free and emulsifier-free sunscreens with high UVA protection and antioxidants (alpha-glucosyl rutin and licochalcone A) are suitable.
How does Mallorca acne differ from conventional acne?
Both the appearance and the underlying cause of Mallorca acne differ from classic acne (acne vulgaris). With Mallorca acne there are no (or only sporadically) blackheads. These, on the other hand, are typical for classic acne. Acne vulgaris occurs when a skin pore becomes clogged with sebum and becomes inflamed as a result. In Mallorca acne, on the other hand, the sebum follicle becomes inflamed by UV radiation.
What does Mallorca acne look like?
The symptoms of Mallorca acne at a glance:
- Severe itching
- Small nodules on the skin (papules)
- Small blisters (pustules) (filled with pus)
In Mallorca acne, after sunbathing, small, usually only a few millimeters (pin-head-sized) nodules, pustules, reddish patches of skin and sometimes wheals (point-like to plateau-shaped elevations) form on the skin, which are very itchy. These appear skin-colored or slightly reddish. Sometimes the skin changes also have a narrow reddish border.
Parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun are particularly affected. Mallorca acne is therefore particularly evident in the area of the hair follicles on the neck, décolleté, back, as well as on the upper arms and shoulders. The nodules are rarely found on the face, stomach or lower legs.
In contrast to other forms of acne, there are no purulent "pimples" (efflorescences) in summer acne, and there are no or only isolated blackheads (comedones).
What can you do about Mallorca acne?
In people with Mallorca acne, the symptoms usually go away on their own after a short time. In rare cases, the itchy nodules and pustules persist for several weeks. To ensure that the complexion improves quickly and that no permanent skin damage such as scars remain, it is important to note the following:
Avoid the sun
In order to treat Mallorca acne, it is primarily important to avoid exposure to the sun. Try to stay in the shade and protect your skin with light clothing.
Until the pustules have healed, you should definitely avoid direct sunlight!
Do not use oily care products
In addition, it is important to avoid oily sunscreens and other care products such as after-sun products, creams or lotions with Mallorca acne. Instead, water-based gels or creams are suitable for skin care.
Anti-inflammatory creams and gels
Applying anti-inflammatory creams such as zinc ointment is anti-inflammatory and relieves itching.
Do not scratch the affected areas of the house. This increases the risk of the inflammation getting worse and only adds to the itchiness.
Home remedies
If the itching is severe, you can apply cold compresses and an aloe vera gel or witch hazel gel. They cool and reduce inflammation. Applying quark is also said to alleviate the symptoms.
To do this, spread some low-fat quark just under an inch thick on a clean kitchen towel and wrap it in. Then place the quark wrap on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes.
Cooling pads that are placed on the affected area of the skin also help against the itching. Important: Wrap the pad in a towel so that the skin is not damaged by the cold.
Before using home remedies, ask your doctor for advice!
Medication
The doctor only treats Mallorca acne with medication if it is severe. Peeling treatments of the skin or creams with vitamin A acid (e.g. tretinoin, adapalene) are possible. If further infections develop from the changes in the skin (superinfection), the doctor may give antibiotics in tablet form.
In very severe cases, the doctor also prescribes cortisone preparations in the form of fat-free lotions or ointments. Antihistamines (antiallergic agents) are rarely used to relieve very severe itching.
What are the causes of Mallorca acne?
The cause of Mallorca acne is not yet clearly known. The typical skin reactions probably arise because hair follicles clog and become inflamed. The cause of this is suspected to be the interaction of UVA radiation, the body's own sebum and / or components (e.g. emulsifiers) in fatty cosmetics and care products such as sun cream and lotions.
Among other things, these factors should lead to the formation of aggressive pollutants (hydroperoxides and other free radicals) that combine with the skin fat from the sebum glands. This leads to an excessive inflammatory reaction of the skin (autoimmune reaction). Emulsifiers or fats in personal care products intensify this reaction and the typical symptoms occur.
Experts suspect that certain people have a genetic predisposition to their immune systems reacting excessively to these substances.
Certain detergents, household cleaners or perfumes in combination with sunlight also rarely trigger Mallorca acne.
How does the doctor make a diagnosis?
It is true that the symptoms of Mallorca acne usually subside on their own after a while. A visit to the dermatologist is still useful to rule out other skin diseases, such as contact acne (acne venenata), which occurs after contact with certain substances (e.g. in cosmetics). Especially if the symptoms do not go away on their own after a while, it is advisable to seek advice from a doctor.
If you notice skin changes after sunbathing that are very itchy, your family doctor is your first point of contact. He will refer you to a dermatologist if necessary and for further examinations.
Talk to the doctor
Before examining the skin, the doctor will have a detailed discussion with the person concerned (anamnesis). Among other things, he asks questions about existing skin problems and changes, for example where and when they occurred and which complaints exist exactly (e.g. itching).
Physical examination
The doctor then examines the skin for any visual abnormalities (e.g. discoloration, deformation, injuries). He examines the skin closely (e.g. with a special skin magnifier or a microscope) and, if necessary, scans it. The doctor can usually diagnose Mallorca acne based on the typical skin changes (visual diagnosis).
Which skin changes do you look for?
In order to describe Mallorca acne as precisely as possible and to find clues as to the triggering cause, the doctor pays attention to the following:
- Type of skin change: Are they nodules (e.g. warts, skin cancer), vesicles (e.g. in neurodermatitis or shingles), dandruff (e.g. in psoriasis) or spots (e.g. in hives)?
- Skin color: is the skin red?
- Skin texture: are nodules palpable?
- Differentiation from healthy skin: Are the edges of the skin inflammation clearly demarcated from healthy skin?
- Size and spread of the lesion: Do the lesions occur on the neck, chest, back, upper arms and / or shoulders?
- Additional complaints: Does the affected skin area itch, burn or hurt?
How long will it take for Mallorca acne to go away?
In most cases, the skin irritations resolve spontaneously on their own within a few days. Damage, such as scars, remains on the skin only very rarely (e.g. when those affected scratch themselves badly). The prerequisite for healing is that those affected avoid the sun and refrain from fatty care products. The symptoms rarely persist for several weeks. Then at the latest you should visit a dermatologist.
How can you prevent Mallorca acne?
If you have oily skin, are prone to acne or have ever had acne from Mallorca, the following tips will help:
- Get your skin used to the sun's rays slowly and gradually. At the beginning, always go into the sun for only five to ten minutes and then back into the shade.
- If possible, do not go into the sun at lunchtime, but preferably in the morning or afternoon.
- Also protect your skin with clothing and headgear (e.g. sun hat).
- Use sunscreens with a high sun protection factor (broad spectrum UVA + B) without fats or emulsifiers. This also applies to other personal care products, such as after-sun preparations.
- It is best to use only fat-free and emulsifier-free body care products a few days before sunbathing or vacation.
