Lets talk about “Photosensitivity”
Photosensitivity
Since the beginning of time, history tells us that man has worshiped the Sun as a god.
We know sunlight to be life giving and life sustaining, so you might be asking yourself, how could anyone be allergic to the sun? Can you imagine having to avoid direct sunlight that causes your skin to blister and peel and have joint pain making it hard to simply walk or do basic activities around the house or work? That is what those who have sensitivity to sunlight may experience. Photosensitivity is frequently referred to as an allergy to the sun, i.e., sunlight. Can you imagine being allergic to sunlight? Well, it does happen. Basically, photosensitivity is a physiologic reaction to the sun (sunlight), which stimulates an immune system reaction. Sunlight can stimulate an immune response that can manifest in several physical ailments that can be quite painful and disruptive to daily activities and make obtaining restorative sleep a challenge all to itself. Those affected by photosensitivity may develop itchy eruptions or areas of redness and inflammation on patches of sun-exposed skin. The diagnosis is usually based on a doctor’s assessment and evaluation. This reaction can occur to exposure from sunlight, tanning beds, UV radiation, certain medications, and toxins. Who knew! Now you do!
What is the most common cause of photosensitivity?
The most common cause of photosensitivity can be caused by a metabolic defect known as porphyria in which phototoxic porphyrins accumulate in the skin. Porphyria is a rare genetic disorder that causes a buildup of porphyrins in the body. Porphyrins are necessary to make heme, a part of hemoglobin that carries oxygen throughout the body and into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) the body’s primary storage unit for energy (think mitochondria). There are four major types of Porphyria, all four can be activated by exposure to sunlight as well as to some medications or toxins.
What autoimmune diseases cause photosensitivity?
It has been estimated that up to 60 percent of people afflicted with lupus, an autoimmune disease, are sensitive to ultraviolet light. The photosensitivity can manifest in skin inflammation or a flare-up of a wide range of lupus symptoms, such as the signature butterfly rash which appears over the nose and cheeks, joint pain and fatigue.
Some medications can cause sensitivity to Sun Light.
Photosensitivity (sun sensitivity) can be induced by many medications causing skin damage such as severe sunburns and rashes. This can happen any time of year with very little sunlight exposure.
Check out this statistic, according to the National Center for Health Statistics at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48.6% of Americans stated they had taken at least one prescription medication in the past 30 days. Approximately 24% said they were taking three or more prescribed medications, and 12.8% stated they were currently taking at least five prescribed medications a day. Be sure to ask your health care provider and or pharmacist if any medication or over the counter medication you are taking could induce a photosensitive reaction in you!
On the list of medications to pay attention to are certain antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because they can induce sun sensitivity reactions in some people, including children. Isotretinoin (Accutane), thiazide diuretics, and methotrexate have been known to cause photosensitivity. To learn more about medication reactions to sunlight, please click here.
Knowledge is power and so is sunlight! Stay safe out there!
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