Sun-Sensitive Drugs (Photosensitivity to Drugs) (cont.)
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- What is photosensitivity?
- What is the difference between a photoallergic and a phototoxic reaction?
- Photoallergic and phototoxic reaction pictures
- What is ultraviolet light?
- What are the symptoms of sun sensitivity (photosensitivity)?
- What are some common sun-sensitizing drugs?
- Phototoxic drugs
- Photoallergic drugs
- Are there any medical conditions that can cause photosensitivity?
- How is sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for a photosensitizing drug reaction?
- Is anyone taking these drugs at risk for developing sunburn?
- Can any foods cause sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) reactions?
- Pictures of sun-sensitivity (photosensitivity) reactions
- Are there any medical applications of sun sensitivity (photosensitivity)?
- Sun-Sensitizing (Photosensitivity) Drugs At A Glance
Can any foods or plants cause sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) reactions?
Some vegetables and plants may cause sun sensitivity if they come into contact with the skin. Mango peel, lime juice, parsnips, or celery, for example, may cause temporary discoloration (darkening) of the skin contact area when in the sun. Common phototoxic fruits and vegetables include:
- Lime
- Celery
- Carrots
- Figs
- Parsley
- Parsnips
Pictures of foods and plant sun-sensitivity (photosensitivity) reactions
Picture of phytophotodermatitis hyperpigmentation
Picture of photodermatitis
Picture of photodermatitis with blisters
Are there any medical applications of sun sensitivity (photosensitivity)?
Photodynamic therapy utilizes the concept of sun or light sensitivity to treat some skin conditions including skin pre-cancers (actinic keratosis), skin cancers, and acne. Briefly, this treatment takes advantage of activating a photosensitizing drug (such as 5-aminolevulinic acid) by shining light directly onto it for a short time. The drug is first applied to the area of the skin where the cancer or pre-cancer is found. With light-induced activation of the drug, the abnormal cells (cancer or pre-cancer) are destroyed preferentially.
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