Hell's Itch: A Unique Reaction to UV Exposure

Katelin J Ball; Brandon W Muse; Bailey Cook; Alyssa P Quinn; Benjamin D Brooks

doi:10.2196/48669

Hell's Itch: A Unique Reaction to UV Exposure

JMIR Dermatol. 2023 Oct 24:6:e48669. doi: 10.2196/48669.

Authors

Katelin J Ball¹, Brandon W Muse¹, Bailey Cook¹, Alyssa P Quinn¹, Benjamin D Brooks¹

Affiliation

¹ College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT, United States.

PMID: 37874633
PMCID: PMC10630859
DOI: 10.2196/48669

Abstract

We present a survey-based exploration of Hell's Itch, a severe dermatologic reaction often mistaken for sunburn, that reveals distinct symptoms including intense pain, unrelenting itching, paresthesia, and even suicidal ideation, differentiating it from a typical sunburn.

Keywords: Hell’s Itch; UV; dermatological; dermatologist; dermatology; experience; hair; itch; itchiness; itchy; nails; scratch; skin; social media; sun; sunburn; survey; symptoms; teledermatology; ultraviolet.

©Katelin J Ball, Brandon W Muse, Bailey Cook, Alyssa P Quinn, Benjamin D Brooks. Originally published in JMIR Dermatology (http://derma.jmir.org), 24.10.2023.