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Generally, people with polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) who continue to go out in the sun gradually become less sensitive to the effects of sunlight. Photosensitive reactions (e.g., papules, hives) may be treated like other skin rashes or sunburns. Patients may find that cool oatmeal baths are helpful in relieving the intense itching (pruritus) associated with photosensitive skin reactions. Medications may be recommended or prescribed to treat moderate hives. The standard medications are antihistamines, which are available in both prescription and non-prescription forms. For more severe cases, corticosteroids may be recommended for the rapid reduction of swelling and itching.

In extreme cases of solar urticaria, antimalarial drugs may be prescribed for their anti-inflammatory properties.

For reactions caused by medications, patients can avoid sun exposure while taking the medication. This can be achieved by wearing clothing that covers most of the skin and using hypoallergenic sunscreen (made with ingredients that do not trigger allergic reactions). If other types of medications are available, discussion with a physician may identify alternative treatments that may not cause a reaction. Medication options should always be discussed with a physician.

Some chronic illnesses or disorders may need long-term treatment options for photosensitivity. Desensitization to sunlight or heat for PMLE and solar urticaria are possible treatments for severe cases. Desensitization involves limited and controlled exposure to the allergen in a medical setting. A short dose of ultraviolet light is used to desensitize patients with PMLE and solar urticaria. A six-week course of desensitization often provides a PMLE patient with protection for the entire summer.

Avoidance is the best prevention method for skin rashes due to photosensitivity. For people who are photosensitive, sun protection is necessary regardless of weather conditions, and even in the shade. Covering the skin with clothing while exposed to sunlight will help to avoid the development of rashes or hives. Sunscreen or sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher should be applied thoroughly on all areas of the skin that could be exposed to the sun (unless the sunscreen is an allergen capable of causing a photoallergic eruption). Sunscreens should be used in conjunction with the avoidance of sunlight and not as a substitute for it.

People with photosensitive conditions should also avoid other sources of UV light, such as sun lamps or tanning beds. People who are affected by fluorescent lamps can replace these light sources with tungsten light bulbs. Since UVR can pass through glass, patients may also benefit from applying a UVR-absorbing film on the windows in their home and car.