"Fun in the sun" loses its charm when that pesky sun rash, aka Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE), swoops in, making you resemble a spotty leopard. Don't let UV radiation ruin your day out, arm yourself with knowledge about this immune system snafu and effectively show it the door.

Contrary to what you might think, sun rash isn’t Mother Nature’s 'one size fits all' horror. PMLE affects about 10 - 20% of the U.S. population, a result of specific genetics and certain medications. So, for some, the sun’s a glowing playmate, for others, it’s a skin-aggravating bad date.

A PMLE grand entrance follows a sun-soaked session. Draped in itchy bumps and exotic-colored skin patches, the rash thrives on sun-exposed skin areas life’s a beach during late spring or early summer, when UV exposure throws a surprise party after a sunless winter.

Healthcare gurus diagnose this sun-induced drama through visual clue hunting. Skin texture changes, roughness, and your witty narrative of your woeful sun-adventures may reveal PMLE’s mark.

Remember, not every sun allergy is PMLE. There’s an entire line-up of oddly named sun allergies waiting to claim their moment under the sun. And sun poisoning? It's the evil stepmother of sun rash. With severe sunburn and whole-body symptoms, you might be looking at a quick trip to the nearest medical facility.

Certain medications can turn your sun-kissed glow into an inflamed disaster. Check with your friendly pharmacist or prescribing physician about your drug’s penchant for sun-dramatics.

PMLE loves a grand farewell as well, normally lasting a few days, up to a couple of weeks depending on its severity. The rule of thumb? Stay out of the sun to ensure a swift recovery.

Prevention, as always, is the key here. Limiting sun exposure is the A-game, with additional measures like sunscreen, protective clothing, and quitting late-night vampire movies to avoid nocturnal living. In some cases, a bit of controlled UV exposure during spring (aka, “skin hardening”) can play defense against summer sun rashes.

In most cases, sun rash will retreat with no medical intervention. But if your sun rash begins an intense sequel with infection, whole-body symptoms, persistent pain, or refusal to check out even after 10-14 days, seek immediate medical attention.

So, bear in mind, dear reader, your moment under the sun should be unblemished, and a little knowledge about PMLE can keep your skin's relationship with the sunset at bay.