Most people know how to take care of their skin while under the sun like slathering sunscreen, wearing hats and sunglasses but few people will knew that some common medication will intensify the effects of sunlight, raising the risk of burning and getting rashes.
Not everyone will have the same degree of sun sensitivity from these medications. But for some, even short intervals of sun exposure can cause a rash or burn. Those who are more at risk include people with fair skin, light-colored hair, and blue eyes; people who work outside; people who live at higher elevations or near the equator; and people with certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
So how do these common medication raise the risk?
1) First, known as a photoallergic reaction, it occurs when a certain medicine or substance is applied to the skin.
Ultraviolet light from the sun transform the substance which provokes the immune system leading to irriated skin and eczema-like rashes which can happen after 24 hours later.
2) Second type will be the phototoxic reaction which occurs after the person have taken the medicine and later spent their time under the sun.
Exposing the skin to ultraviolet rays excites molecules of the ingested substance, causing damages to the skin tissue like severe redness and sunburn which will be apparent immediately
Most common culprits of medicine are antibiotics like tetracycline, certain antihistamines and topical antimicrobials. Tetracycline is an antibiotic used against many different bacteria. It is usually prescribed for infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and skin as well as cholera, syphilis and acne.
As mentioned in Medicinenet, the side-effects include exaggerated sunburn therefore, sunlight or sunlamp exposure should be minimized during treatment. More information can also be found here
Antihistamines are usually used to treat rash, hives, watery eyes, runny nose, itching and sneezing due to allergies or the common cold. They can also be used to treat motion sickness, anxiety or as a sleep aid for insomnia. They are drugs to treat the symptoms of allergies by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical released by the immune system in allergic reactions. More information can be found here
Topical antimicrobials are one of the most commonly purchased medications for simple abrasions and cutaneous infections to routine wound care as well as infected eczema.
Antimicrobial is a general term given to substances including medicines that kill or slow the growth of microbes.
Examples of antimicrobial agents:
Tetracycline (one antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections )
Oseltamivir or Tamiflu® (antiviral that treats the flu)
Terbinafine or Lamisil® (antifungal that treats athlete's foot)
If you're taking one of these medications, the best way to avoid a skin reaction is to limit the amount of time spent out in the sun. Make sure you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Use it every day you go outside, even on a cloudy or cool day. It is recommended to apply 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapplying it every two hours.
In addition, try to avoid the sunlight when the ultraviolet rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. And wear sun-protective clothing when outdoors, including shirts with high collars and long sleeves, pants or a long skirt, socks and shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses if possible. Remember to be especially careful around water, snow, ice, and sand, because they can reflect the sun's rays.
Read more about other types of medication on Health Havard, Health and Webmd.
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