Which medications cause sensitivity to sunlight

Prouty says. Although there are technically two types of sun sensitivity—phototoxicity and photoallergy—Dr. Gonzalez says the more relevant concern is phototoxicity , a condition where the skin becomes sensitive to sunlight after taking certain drugs either orally or topically.

Photoallergy occurs when UV rays cause the shape of a molecule to transform into a new substance, resulting in the immune system attacking the foreign presence. Gonzalez, mainly because the patient needs to have been previously exposed to the medication in question. Indicators of a phototoxic reaction can vary from symptoms like pain to localized swelling.

But Dr. Drug-induced photosensitivity — codes and concepts open. Drug phototoxicity, Drug photoallergy, Drug photo-onycholysis. Reaction to external agent. Drugs implicated in photosensitivity, Clinical features of drug-induced phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. Sign up to the newsletter. Full name. Email address. The first and most effective way to protect your eyes while taking a medication that can make them photosensitive is to wear UV-blocking sunglasses.

Wearing a hat with a brim of at least three inches all around can shield your sensitive eyes and eyelids from UV rays, providing a great supplement to protective eyewear. See a list of medications that include photosensitivity as a potential side effect here. To protect your skin and eyes, consult our complete Sun Protection Guide. For recommended products, see our Sun Protection Product Finder.

See your physician if you develop flu-like symptoms, including fever with chills, nausea, headache and weakness, or if your skin blisters. A blistering sunburn is considered a second degree burn of the skin. This will require medical treatment beyond over-the-counter treatments. How do I know if my photosensitive reaction is drug-induced? If a medication is the suspected cause, diagnostic tests, including phototesting, photopatch testing and clinical rechallenge can be completed to determine if the burn was secondary to a photosensitive reaction.

Once a diagnosis of a drug-induced photosensitivity is made and the medication that caused it is identified, the medication may be discontinued, if possible.

Sun protection basics. Minimize your exposure to UV radiation from the sun, especially during the peak hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, and avoid indoor tanning. Shade is your friend! Take extra care to shield yourself from the sun.

Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sun-protective clothing. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on all exposed skin. Find sunscreen products with our Seal of Recommendation. Check your skin monthly and visit a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam. Safeguard against skin cancer.