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Photodermatitis
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<h2 id="signs-and-symptoms">Signs and symptoms</h2> <p>Photodermatitis may result in swelling, difficulty breathing, a burning sensation, a red itchy <a href="/facts/Rash/W97qGpq6">rash</a> sometimes resembling small <a href="/facts/Blisters/qGhqaeQV">blisters</a>, and peeling of the skin. <a href="/facts/Nausea/dyhkcbeD">Nausea</a> may also occur. There may also be blotches where the itching may persist for long periods of time. In these areas an unsightly orange to brown tint may form, usually near or on the face. </p> <h2 id="causes">Causes</h2> <p>Many medications and conditions can cause sun sensitivity, including: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Sulfonamide_(medicine)/4vXtwwwm">Sulfa</a> used in some drugs, among them some antibiotics, diuretics, COX-2 inhibitors, and diabetes drugs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Psoralen/8HjlV1z7">Psoralens</a>, <a href="/facts/Coal_tar/6lLDL4Ic">coal tars</a>, photo-active dyes (<a href="/facts/Eosin/wDx3lL0U">eosin</a>, <a href="/facts/Acridine_orange/U4NqwxP8">acridine orange</a>)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Musk_ambrette/4zJGHg3h">Musk ambrette</a>, <a href="/facts/Methylcoumarin/uuk03wpB">methylcoumarin</a>, <a href="/facts/Lemon_oil/dYYzVCVq">lemon oil</a> (may be present in fragrances)</li> <li><a href="/facts/4-Aminobenzoic_acid/K6ETy21b">PABA</a> (found in sunscreens)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Oxybenzone/T46GDkMg">Oxybenzone</a> (UVA and UVB chemical blocker also in sunscreens) <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Salicylanilide/bfPALsuc">Salicylanilide</a> (found in industrial cleaners)</li> <li><a href="/facts/St_John%27s_wort/mpjzo2y9">St John's wort</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Hexachlorophene/wMB5Nkaj">Hexachlorophene</a> (found in some prescription antibacterial soaps)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Tetracycline_antibiotics/IQx9gYrE">Tetracycline antibiotics</a> (e.g., <a href="/facts/Tetracycline/DQ0exP62">tetracycline</a>, <a href="/facts/Doxycycline/A8DBTzNh">doxycycline</a>, <a href="/facts/Minocycline/naFLfSJu">minocycline</a>)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Benzoyl_peroxide/8EowDfnH">Benzoyl peroxide</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Retinoid/0TyyRMxr">Retinoids</a> (e.g., <a href="/facts/Isotretinoin/XBKv4fQJ">isotretinoin</a>)</li> <li>Some <a href="/facts/NSAID/coIkzl4s">NSAIDs</a> (e.g., <a href="/facts/Ibuprofen/vsKBTfVl">ibuprofen</a>, <a href="/facts/Naproxen_sodium/2oJdSCWq">naproxen sodium</a>)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Quinolone_antibiotic/1jRTHzYW">Fluoroquinolone antibiotic</a>: <a href="/facts/Sparfloxacin/BDXeofYX">Sparfloxacin</a> in 2% of cases</li> <li><a href="/facts/Amiodarone/rywCcA6L">Amiodarone</a>, used to treat <a href="/facts/Atrial_fibrillation/Rzkq1tmN">atrial fibrillation</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Pellagra/gfJD7nL1">Pellagra</a> (<a href="/facts/Vitamin_B3/sgjmUWzx">Vitamin B3</a> deficiency)</li></ul> <p>Photodermatitis can also be caused by plants such as <i><a href="/facts/Ammi_majus/WD6X2N0G">Ammi majus</a></i>, <a href="/facts/Parsnip/3llLb64P">parsnip</a>, giant hogweed (<i><a href="/facts/Heracleum_mantegazzianum/Bk8XyGAJ">Heracleum mantegazzianum</a></i>), common rue (<i><a href="/facts/Ruta_graveolens/ff7rIgBn">Ruta graveolens</a></i>), and <i><a href="/facts/Dictamnus/8Ca5xeHb">Dictamnus</a></i>, a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Angiosperms/E5eGYIvY">flowering plants</a> in the family <a href="/facts/Rutaceae/sdC4DBWR">Rutaceae</a> with a single species <i>Dictamnus albus</i>, commonly called the burning bush. Photodermatitis caused by plants is called <a href="/facts/Phytophotodermatitis/DdxCVdsq">phytophotodermatitis</a>. </p> <h2 id="prevention">Prevention</h2> <p>Prevention includes avoiding exposure to chemicals that can trigger the reaction, such as by wearing gloves, or avoiding sunlight or wearing <a href="/facts/Sunscreen/W6J13MRz">sunscreen</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> preferably with at least factor 30 and with a high UVA protection level on the affected area. And by addressing any risk factors, such as those listed above. </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Phytophotodermatitis/DdxCVdsq">Phytophotodermatitis</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Photosensitivity/dohEzKCm">Photosensitivity</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Solar_urticaria/JWLqGJGo">Solar urticaria</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Sulfa Allergy Symptoms and Risks <a href="http://allergies.about.com/od/medicationallergies/a/sulfa.htm" target="_blank">http://allergies.about.com/od/medicationallergies/a/sulfa.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Rodriguez E, Valbuena MC, Rey M, Porras de Quintana L. 2006. Causal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 22(4): 189-192. <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Archived AAD - The Sun and Your Skin, "Allergic Reactions" section <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070927033635/http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/SunandSkin.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20070927033635/http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/SunandSkin.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"AAD - Sunscreens". Archived from the original on 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2011-04-26. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140721190111/http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20140721190111/http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>