Photosensitivity

Question: photosensitivity? i just switched from taking tetracycline and now im taking amoxicillin, because on the tetracyclin, my skin was very photosensitive. i was wondering how long it will take for my skin to become not photosensitive, and if anyone has gone through a similar change in drugs? the amoxicilian shouldnt make my skin photosenitive, my dermatologist told me. im brazillian, and i tan very easily and very darkely. ive never burnt in my life, only when i was on the tetracycline, but now im off of it. i wear spf 30 everyday and i constantly reapply.

Answer: I had the same problem years ago. The photosensitivity associated with tetracycline (feeling of pins and needles) has no relation to wearning sunscreen (although use of sunscreen is still recommended due to in increased ability to burn). I switched to amoxicillin as well. I had a summer job working as a day camp director...I felt better within a week...no more pins and needles!

Question: is there any cure or treatment for photosensitivity to sun and tanning beds? i didn't have this problem untill i took the anti-depressant Paxil some years ago. could this be the source? or could it be something else i haven't thought of yet? it's been 4 yrs since i've taken any prescriptions other than antibiotics. is this a permanent side effect? or is there a way to get rid of the problem? or at least ease the symptoms some?

Answer: It could be something you take over the counter...it is not a known side effect of paxil...but is w/some antibiotics,estrogen, and other common drugs. It could possibly be a reaction to a dye in daily vitamins...there are a lot of could be's...use the strongest sun block you can find...and see if lowering the tanning bed strength helps. I would also consult your Primary Care Doctor....Good Luck to You! Oh, additional info....Good old sun has vitamin D and if u use strong sunscreen you can save the $$ of tanning parlor!

Question: what's the difference between porphyria and Photosensitivity? I know I didn't spell those diseases wrong, They are diseases of the sun, and I don't now the difference between them. Give me differentiation please. Thank You

Answer: Your spelling is refreshingly correct. Your question is a good one. And the short answer is that porphyria is a group of disorders which includes the other, photosensitivity, as a subtype. Photosensitivity is both a stand-alone condition and a subtype or symptom of several other conditions. Porphyria is a group of enzyme disorders in the heme producing systems in the body, primarily the blood, liver and the bone marrow. The function of heme as a component of hemeglobin, the molecule which carries oxygen. The disorders are considered to be primarily genetic but can also be triggered or caused by certain medications, infection, alcohol, smoking, hormones/hormone changes during menstruation or pregnancy, illness, stress, fasting. Diagnosis can be very difficult. Although there are many types of porphyrias, there are two basic types of porphyrias. While neither is curable, the Mayo Clinic says that there are treatments for certain types and lifestyle changes which can make some conditions manageable. The first type affects the nervous system and symptoms include chest and/or abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. While suffering an attack a person my feel muscle numbness, tingling, cramps, paralysis, personality changes, hallucinations, anxiety, seizueres, coma. The other type is cutaneous tardive porphyria which affects the skin. The primary symptom is photosensitivity. This type causes the skin to be extremely sensitive to sunlight. Symptoms include reddness, rash, increased hair growth, scarring, infections, pigmentation changes, blisters. Photosensitivity can be a symptom of porphyrias, it can be a trigger for conditions such as epilepsy, and it can stand alone as what is often considered an allergy condition or a drug-induced condition. It can also occur with cutaneous lupus. There are several medications (most of which have the warnings printed on the bottle or info sheet) which can trigger photosensitivity such as acne meds, tetracycline, St Johns wort (where UV exposure can trigger cataract development) It is not just strong, long sun exposure which can create the conditions for rashes, blistering, swelling. Winter sunlight, even reflected sunlight can trigger reactions in as little as 10 minutes. Photosensitivity is defined by the American College of Rheumatology as "a skin rash as a result of unusual reaction to sunlight. According to Healthline, there are over 36 diseases, 24 drugs and several perfune and cosmetic components which can cause photosensitivity which they define as "any increase in the reactivity of the skin to sunlight." In addition there are several different types of reactions: phototoxicity, photoallergy and polymorphous light erruption (which causes those little bumps and blisters in a delayed reaction to UV exposure.) I know this is long but I though that your question merited the long version. Sources and suggested reading: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=porphyria http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/porphyria.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/porphyria/DS00955 http://porphbook.tripod.com/12.html http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutdiagnosis.aspx?articleid=94&zoneid=15 http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/photosensitivity

Question: Is there anything that can surely cause extreme photosensitivity? Like maybe being exposed to something or some medications?

Answer: Excess calcium intake.

Question: How to deal with photosensitivity? I tried tanning this week and i noticed that my arms turned red and got extremely itchy with bumps. I looked up WebMd.com and it said it might be because of photosensitivity and should not be confused with sunburn. The weird thing is that it is only on my arms and nowhere else. I was wondering if i could still get a tan with this and how to treat for it?

Answer: The symptoms of photosensitivity include immediate burning reactions similar to those ordinarily suffered after prolonged exposure to the sun, rashes, scaling, welts (raised areas), dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. The most common symptom of photosensitivity is a rash. Treatment of photosensitivity symptoms is similar to that used for sunburn: ointments, topical anesthetics, and creams. Though these treatments are standard topical therapy for the skin, they do not eliminate the underlying causes of photosensitivity. The most effective treatment is to discover the basic cause of the heightened sensitivity and to eliminate it. If it is impossible to isolate the cause of photosensitivity, the next best step is to avoid exposure to sunlight by wearing light-colored clothing, white gloves, and broad-brimmed hats. Using commercial sunscreen products may also be helpful. I recommend that you pay a visit to your doctor to rule out any associated conditions and ask if he would be kind enough to refer you to a consultant dermatologist for further assessment and advice.

Question: Can photosensitivity problems cause complex partial seizures in the temporal lobe? ? And also compulsive behaviour, anger rages, agression, memory lapses, anxiety, fear, panic.

Answer: Yes, partial seizures generally occur with TLE.

Question: i'm doing my project on food colors.i jus wanna know about photosensitivity of sunset yellow and tartrazine i'm doing my project on the food colors, sunset yellow and tartrazine. will the food colors get degraded when mixed with water and kept for a week.. please help me friends.

Answer: http://www.springerlink.com/content/n112qh7v62mq6496/ Try this link.

Question: Flecainide and photosensitivity? I take Flecainide twice a day for atrial fibrillation (100 g night and morning). My specialist told me that I can only spend 10 minutes in the sun before I have to cover up, long sleeves, hat and sunglasses. I find this a real bind as I feel very hot with long sleeves etc. I am going on holiday to Italy this year in August so we will spend a lot of time in the swimming pool. Can I still get burnt if I keep most of my body under water? I hope that the water will act as a cooling agent but I have no idea really. Also has anyone on Flecainide managed to use a sun screen succesfully instead of long sleeves?

Answer: yes, you will get burned if you are under water... in fact, you will burn quicker since the water reflects the rays... why don't you try a rash guard shirt that surfers wear? They are really thin, usually made out of the same material like swim suits and dry quickly. My kids wear them all the time so they don't burn but they never complain that they are hot in them. We live in the desert in California... with temperatures around 100+ degree F or around 40+ degree C

Question: Can hayfever cause headaches and photosensitivity? I have recently begun with streaming itchy eyes, runny nose and a throbbing head and I am slightly intolerant to light. Iam also very groggy and lethargic. I have had the lights off at work. I wondered whether it could due to hayfever as its that time of year.. neva had hayfever before thats why Iam asking thanks for your answers

Answer: Yes, definitely. This is because our body immune system is weakened.

Question: Does a form of anemia that causes photosensitivity exist?

Answer: yes...it's called porphyria. ( thought once to be the reason for vampires...people crave blood)

Question: Would 100%Uv sunglasses be usefull or useless for a photosensitivity suffer, as a temporary solution?

Answer: they do say the dark glasses are good but have you tried the blue polarized ones??? these are ment to be excellent even if you have photosensitive epilesy!!!! its worth a try

Question: Drug induced photosensitivity? After having a phototoxic reaction, i figured out that one of my medications had made me photosensitive. Since it is summer and i like to do a lot of fishing where i am always out in the sun, i decided to stop taking the medication. The medication has a relatively short half life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours. My question is... How long should it take after stopping the medication for the drug induced photosensitivity to go away?

Answer: If the photosensitivity is due to having the drug circulating in your blood stream and being exposed to light, the drug is out of your system in approxiimately 17 hours. So, assuming that the drug is the culprit, a day or so without the drug should allow you to be in the sun.

Question: sun allergy , Photosensitivity , PMLE and tanning beds? I have PMLE. I get a rash on the parts of my body exposed to sun for the first part of spring. however, the more sun i get through the season, i stop getting the rashes. Would going to a tanning bed lessen the issue, but exposing my skin to the light so that it will get better?

Answer: If you have PMLE your skin goes through a period of "hardening" when exposed to sun and after sufficient exposure it won't break out into a rash anymore. Dermatologist actually recommend the use of tanning beds to help the hardening process if you are planning to go on a vacation or planning to go out in the sun. Some actually use a similar process of gradual UV exposure in their office as a treatment. Although as with all tanning the sun can still be dangerous so don't go too often and use a tanning product which contains SPF.

Question: Is Photosensitivity a gene? I am mildly photosensitive to sunlight. Sometimes I break out in rashes that take days to heal with cream. Please don't say anything like, "Well, you must be allergic to something you ate." I even talked to my dermatologist a couple years back and she agreed that I am photosensitive. But my question is: Is this a gene I have? In other words, will I always have this? Will I ever grow out of having photosensitivity?

Answer: photosensitivity is a symptom... whether the cause is genetic or otherwise in your case I don't know.

Question: I want to understand the link between Lupus and Photosensitivity. And how or why it may cause a flare up...? Thank you...I am trying to help out someone very close to me...[parent]

Answer: People who are affected with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); esp those affected with cutaneous lupus often discover that they are highly photosensitive, or sensitive to sunlight. Reasons why lupus patients are more susceptible to sunlight ARE STILL poorly understood. It is suspected, however, that UV light causes skin cells to express particular proteins on their surface, attracting anitbodies. The antibodies in turn attract white blood cells, which attack skin cells, which leads to inflammation. Apoptosis, or cell death, normally occurs at this point, but it is amplified in lupus patients, which increases inflammation. Either way, this sensitivity results in rashes and other skin conditions like sunburn. In SLE, this photosensitivity can also TRIGGER flares, including joint pain and fatigue. If left unchecked, this condition could lead to skin cancer. Certain medications, like tetracycline antibiotics (often used to fight acne), can increase a lupus patient’s photosensitivity risk. Thus, lupus patients are instructed to take care of their skin and stay out of the sun But how do you stay out of the sun when sun is all around? Here are some simple tips: •Avoid the Midday Sun: The intensity of UV light at this time of day is usually at its peak. It is suggested that avoiding noonday sun can eliminate the need for other tactics. Some literature suggests avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., if possible. •Wear the Correct Clothing: If you’re going to be out in the middle of a summer day, leave the tank top and shorts at home. Broad-brimmed hats and tightly-woven, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and long pants are all the rage for those affected with lupus. •Use Sunscreens: After sun avoidance and adequate clothing, application of sunscreen is your next line of defense. Sunscreens absorb or scatter UV light, depending on what chemicals are in your concoction. Use the correct amount. A light coating won’t due. To get the full protection factor of your sunscreen, you should use at least an ounce of sunscreen if you stand about 5 foot, 8 inches tall. And wear sunscreen year-round, not just the summer. =Turn Off Other Sources of UV Light: This includes fluorescent tube lights, halogen bulbs, and, according to the British Association of Dermatologists, environmentally friendly light bulbs (compact fluorescent tubes). And keep the cover of the office copier closed. •Take Your Medicine as Directed: If you’re taking a medication for your skin condition, make sure you take it as directed by your doctor. =And Know What You’re Taking: As stated above, some drugs can worsen your skin condition, including drugs used to treat lupus, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. •Watch Your Make-Up: Stick to brands that are also UV protectors, and are hypoallergenic People with lupus should realize that a tan is not necessarily healthy. The sun "is their enemy." A sensible lifestyle includes minimizing excessive UV exposure and using photoprotection. Outside activities should be completed before 10:00 AM and after 4:00 PM when the UV rays are less intense. People with lupus should not sunbathe or use tanning booths. Those who work outdoors may need to change occupations Common sense should prevail. People lupus should be neither a "mole" nor a lifeguard. Through experience, each individual's skin type and degree of photosensitivity can be learned. Even if a person is not photosensitive, it is wise to be careful about sun exposure. By taking appropriate precautions and using common sense, individuals with lupus can achieve photoprotection. It's great that you are a concerned and loving son. Your mother/father is very lucky to have you.

Question: Photosensitivity (sun allergy) rash...help!? I'm currently suffering from a rash due to sunburn. I need some good ideas on home or OTC remedies. I've been using Cortizone 10 for several days with zero relief. Anyone who's had this kind of rash knows it itches like CRAZY...and it's right under my bra, on my chest and back, so it's constantly being irritated...help!

Answer: Use corn starch,baby powder and I would also take Benadryl-2 every 4 hours not to exceed 8 Benadryls in 24 hours.Corn starch is more cooling than baby power and feels better but you just have to try and see what works best for you.Hope you feel better soon.

Question: How would you cope with the physical and emotions of having a child? that has photosensitivity? or is allergic to the sun? I was watch Extreme make over home edition and saw an episode on this.

Answer: what a cool thing they made in the back yard for the kids... and the trip to disney... made me cry! anyways... what a sad sad situation... i can't imagine having to live like that... i don't know that i can answer this cause it's such an extreme thing that i feel i'm not able to accuratyl judge how i would handle it. i know i would do everything in my power to make my child's world a "brighter" one... if possible

Question: How many sight tests, and nhs vouchers are a person on income support entitled to in a year? A second pair is needed for outdoor use, due to photosensitivity problems discovered after pair was purchased using voucher.

Answer: You can have an eye exam once every 2 years, sooner if you have problems or your optician requests it to be done sooner. So, sorry but you will have to pay the full cost of the second pair. You can have photo-chromatic lenses so they are clear indoors or in the dark and tint when exposed to UV light (even low levels). You could upgrade to these next time or maybe you could go back to your optician that made your last pair of glasses and ask if they are prepared to upgrade your lenses in your current pair, they will only do this if you bought them very recently though. It will not hurt to ask them.

Question: What homeopathic remedies can be used for treating depression? I can't take saint johns wort as it causes me to experience photosensitivity.

Answer: Try 5htp and Rhodiola Rosea (kava kava can cause liver damage, it's been withdrawn for sale in the UK). http://www.5-htp.org.uk/ http://www.rhodiola-herb.com/ I take both and they are very good. The 5htp won't cause the side effects that the St Johns Wort has. Take the 5htp last thing at night and the RR in the morning.

Question: Is it illegal to tint the front windows of your vehicles if required for allergy to the sun? I have a life threatening condition which is flared up by the UVA/UVB rays. I had the front windows of my car tinted, with a doctor's prescription for that, and I received a fix-it ticket that says I must remove the protective film. This is not a matter of personal style or taste to make my car look "cool" (after all, I am 50), but because of my extreme case of photosensitivity. I am going to try to fight this in court. I live in California. Does anyone know where I can print some kind of info on this so I can present to the judge?

Answer: The police are required to give you a ticket since they can't take your word for your condition. Once you prove to them that you have a medical need, they can decide if the film is safe for driving with. The issue is safety--can you, or any driver, see clearly enough through the film. Since there's no restriction on how dark a tint sunglasses can have, there's no real reason for banning the film--except that cops can't see you clearly! It shouldn't be hard to prove that UVA can pass through window glass. As far as Internet searching, try 'dermatology' and look up university sites. You might find some one there to help you get info. Also, try Lupus sites for their resources.