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Photodermatitis

 

 
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Photodermatitis
 
 
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Photodermatitis, or sometimes called by the nonscientific term sun poisoning, is a reaction of the skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
 to UV rays of the sun
Sun

The Sun , a G V star, is the star at the center of the Solar System. The Earth and other matter orbit the Sun, which by itself accounts for about 98.6% of the Solar System's mass....
, or photoallergy. It may be caused by a medication
Medication

A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine or medicament, can be loosely defined as any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease....
 that makes the skin more sensitive, a skin product (e.g. sunscreen
Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun's ultraviolet radiation and protects the skin.Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters of which there are three main types :...
 containing PABA, certain fragrances), autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic Autoimmunity connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body?s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage....
 (SLE) or a vitamin
Vitamin

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be biosynthesis in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet....
 deficiency. Also diseases such as porphyria
Porphyria

Porphyrias are a group of inherited or acquired disorders of certain enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway . They are broadly classified as acute porphyrias and cutaneous porphyrias, based on the site of the overproduction and accumulation of the porphyrins ....
 and tyrosinemia
Tyrosinemia

Tyrosinemia is an error of metabolism, usually inborn, in which the body cannot effectively break down the amino acid tyrosine. Symptoms include liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation....
. Doctor
Physician

A physician, medical practitioner, doctor of medicine, or medical doctor practices medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury....
s can determine the presence of the disorder through a photo test.

Photoallergy is a form of allergic contact dermatitis
Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a blanket term meaning any "inflammation of the skin" . There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens....
 in which the allergen
Allergen

An allergen is a parasite antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopy individuals.Most humans mount significant Immunoglobulin E responses only as a defense against parasitic infections....
 must be activated by light
Light

Light, or visible light, is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that is Visible spectrum to the human eye , or up to 380?750 nm. In the broader field of physics, light is sometimes used to refer to electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths, whether visible or not....
 to sensitize the allergic response, and to cause a rash
Rash

A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin....
 or other systemic effects on subsequent exposure.






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Photodermatitis, or sometimes called by the nonscientific term sun poisoning, is a reaction of the skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
 to UV rays of the sun
Sun

The Sun , a G V star, is the star at the center of the Solar System. The Earth and other matter orbit the Sun, which by itself accounts for about 98.6% of the Solar System's mass....
, or photoallergy. It may be caused by a medication
Medication

A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine or medicament, can be loosely defined as any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease....
 that makes the skin more sensitive, a skin product (e.g. sunscreen
Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun's ultraviolet radiation and protects the skin.Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters of which there are three main types :...
 containing PABA, certain fragrances), autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic Autoimmunity connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body?s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage....
 (SLE) or a vitamin
Vitamin

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be biosynthesis in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet....
 deficiency. Also diseases such as porphyria
Porphyria

Porphyrias are a group of inherited or acquired disorders of certain enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway . They are broadly classified as acute porphyrias and cutaneous porphyrias, based on the site of the overproduction and accumulation of the porphyrins ....
 and tyrosinemia
Tyrosinemia

Tyrosinemia is an error of metabolism, usually inborn, in which the body cannot effectively break down the amino acid tyrosine. Symptoms include liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation....
. Doctor
Physician

A physician, medical practitioner, doctor of medicine, or medical doctor practices medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injury....
s can determine the presence of the disorder through a photo test.

Photoallergy is a form of allergic contact dermatitis
Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a blanket term meaning any "inflammation of the skin" . There are several different types of dermatitis. The different kinds usually have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens....
 in which the allergen
Allergen

An allergen is a parasite antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopy individuals.Most humans mount significant Immunoglobulin E responses only as a defense against parasitic infections....
 must be activated by light
Light

Light, or visible light, is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that is Visible spectrum to the human eye , or up to 380?750 nm. In the broader field of physics, light is sometimes used to refer to electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths, whether visible or not....
 to sensitize the allergic response, and to cause a rash
Rash

A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin....
 or other systemic effects on subsequent exposure. The second and subsequent exposures produce photoallergic skin conditions which are often eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions....
tous.

Causes

Many medications and conditions can cause sun sensitivity, including:
  • psoralen
    Psoralen

    Psoralen is the parent compound in a family of natural products known as furocoumarins. It is structurally related to coumarin by the addition of a fused furan ring, and may be considered as a derivative of umbelliferone....
    s, coal tar
    Coal tar

    Coal tar is a brown or black liquid of high viscosity, which smells of naphthalene and aromatic hydrocarbons. Coal tar is among the by-products when coal is...
    s, photo-active dyes (eosin
    Eosin

    Eosin is a fluorescent red dye resulting from the action of bromine on fluorescein. It can be used to stain cytoplasm, collagen and Muscle#Muscular Composition for examination under the microscope....
    , acridine orange
    Acridine orange

    Acridine orange is a nucleic acid selective fluorescent cationic dye useful for cell cycle determination. It is cell-permeable, and interacts with DNA and RNA by Intercalation or electrostatic attractions respectively....
    )
  • musk ambrette, methylcoumarin, lemon oil (may be present in fragrances)
  • PABA (found in sunscreens)
  • salicylanilide (found in industrial cleaners)
  • St John's Wort
    St John's wort

    St John's wort used alone refers to the species Hypericum perforatum, also known as Tipton's Weed or Klamath weed, but, with qualifiers, is used to refer to any species of the genus Hypericum....
    , used to treat clinical depression
    Clinical depression

    Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive depression , low self-esteem, and anhedonia in normally enjoyable activities....
  • Hexachlorophene
    Hexachlorophene

    Hexachlorophene, also known as Nabac, is a disinfectant polyhalogenated compound related to the herbicides 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D. The compound occurs as a white to light-tan crystalline Powder , which either is odorless or produces a slightly phenolic odor....
     (found in some Rx antibacterial soaps)
  • Contact with sap from Giant Hogweed
    Giant Hogweed

    Giant Hogweed , or Giant Cow-parsley, is a member of the family Apiaceae, native to the Caucasus Region and Central Asia. It may reach 2-5 metres tall....
    . Common Rue
    Common Rue

    The Common Rue , also known as Herb-of-grace, is a species of rue grown as a herb. It is native to southern Europe. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, especially because of its bluish leaves, and also sometimes for its tolerance of hot and dry soil conditions....
     (Ruta graveolins) is another phototoxic plant commonly found in gardens.
  • Tetracycline antibiotics
    Tetracycline antibiotics

    Tetracyclines are a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics whose general usefulness has been reduced with the onset of bacterial resistance. Despite this, they remain the treatment of choice for some specific indications....
  • NSAIDs.
  • Fluoroquinolone antibiotic: Sparfloxacin
    Sparfloxacin

    Sparfloxacin , trade names Zagam and Zagam Respipac, is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Zagam is no longer available in the United States....
     in 2% of cases.
  • Amiodarone
    Amiodarone

    Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent used for various types of tachyarrhythmias , both ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Discovered in 1961, it was not approved for use in the United States until 1985....
    , used to treat atrial fibrillation
    Atrial fibrillation

    Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia that involves the two upper chambers of the heart. It can often be identified by taking a pulse and observing that the heartbeats don't occur at regular intervals, but a conclusive indication of AF is the absence of P waves on an electrocardiogram ....
  • Pellagra
    Pellagra

    Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by dietary lack of niacin and protein, especially proteins containing the essential amino acid tryptophan....
Photodermatitis can also be caused by plants. This is called phytophotodermatitis
Phytophotodermatitis

Phytophotodermatitis is a chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. It is frequently mistaken for hereditary conditions such as atopic dermatitis or chemical burns, but it is caused by contact with the photosensitizing compounds found naturally in some plants....
.
  • Lime Oil


Symptoms

May result in swelling, a burning sensation, a red itchy rash sometimes resembling small blisters, and peeling of the skin. Nausea may also occur.

Prevention

Prevention includes avoiding exposure to the sun:

  • Stay inside during the brightest hours of the day, from noon to 3 p.m.
  • Cover up: wear long sleeves, slacks, and a wide-brimmed hat
    Hat

    A hat is a headcovering. It may be worn for protection against the elements, for religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status....
     whenever harsh exposure is probable. Remember that cloud
    Cloud

    A cloud is a visible mass of Drop or frozen crystals floating in the Celestial body atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another planetary body....
     cover does not provide protection from UV rays.
  • Avoid chemicals that may trigger a reaction
    Reaction

    Reaction may refer to:*Response to another event*Adverse drug reaction*Chemical reaction*Light reaction*Nuclear reaction*Reaction , as defined by Newton's third law...
     (do not, however, stop taking medication without consulting a doctor).
  • Wear sunscreen
    Sunscreen

    Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun's ultraviolet radiation and protects the skin.Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters of which there are three main types :...
     at least factor 30 with a high UVA protection level.
  • If the symptom
    Symptom

    A symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality. A symptom is subjective, observed by the patient, and not measured....
    s are severe, see a doctor.


Foods and treatment

The following foods or treatment may also help:
  • Beta Carotene - found in carrots, not proven to be effective
  • Omega-3 fatty acid
    Omega-3 fatty acid

    n-3 fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fat fatty acids that have in common a final carbon?carbon double bond#Bond order in the essential fatty acid#Nomenclature and terminology position; that is, the third bond from the methyl end of the fatty acid....
    s - found in fish and flax seed
    Flax

    Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean region to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent....
  • Protein
    Protein

    Proteins are organic compounds made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of adjacent amino acid Residue ....
     - will especially help individuals whose malnutrition
    Malnutrition

    Malnutrition is a general term for a medical condition caused by an improper or inadequate diet and nutrition.According to the World Health Organization, hunger and malnutrition are the single gravest threats to the world's public health and malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child mortality, present in half of all cases....
     may be a contributing factor.
  • Vitamin B3, Vitamin C
    Vitamin C

    Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for humans, a large number of simian species, a small number of other mammalian species , a few species of birds, and some fish....
    , Vitamin D
    Vitamin D

    Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble prohormones, the two major forms of which are vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 . The term vitamin D also refers to metabolites and other analogues of these substances....
    , and Vitamin E
    Vitamin E

    Vitamin E is the collective name for a set of 8 related a-, ?-, ?-, and d-tocopherols and the corresponding four tocotrienols, which are fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant properties....
  • Green tea
    Green tea

    'Green tea' is a type of tea made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis, that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East....
     - antioxidants
  • Calendula
    Calendula

    Calendula is a genus of about 12-20 species of Annual plant or perennial plant herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran....
  • Aloe
    Aloe

    Aloe, also written Alo?, is a genus containing about four hundred species of flowering plants succulent plant plants. The most common and well known of these is aloe vera barbadensis miller, or "true aloe"....
     - external use
  • If pellagra
    Pellagra

    Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by dietary lack of niacin and protein, especially proteins containing the essential amino acid tryptophan....
     is the cause, niacin
    Niacin

    Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin which prevents the Nutrition disorder pellagra. It is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NO2....
     is the specific treatment