What is Sun Sensitivity

Sun sensitivity, also called photosensitivity, is a condition in which exposure to sunlight causes skin irritation. There are many types of sun sensitivity.

Some medicines, skin products, and medical conditions can cause sun sensitivity that can range from mild to severe.

If medicines or products are causing sun sensitivity, the condition may go away after you stop taking the medicine or using the product. In some cases, sun sensitivity is a long-lasting (chronic) condition.

What are the causes?

Common causes of sun sensitivity include:

• Certain medicines.
• Certain makeup products (cosmetics), lotions, or medicines that are applied to the skin.
• Some health conditions, including:
  • Connective tissue diseases, such as lupus.
  • Redness and inflammation of the face or eyes (rosacea).
  • White patches of skin (vitiligo).

In some cases, sun sensitivity may be passed along from parent to child (inherited), or the cause may not be known.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in people who:

• Have family members who have sun sensitivity.
• Are in sunlight for long periods of time.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of sun sensitivity vary. Common symptoms include:

• Red (sunburned) skin that may be bumpy or form blisters.
• Hives.
• Itchy skin (pruritus).
• Pain where skin is exposed to the sun.
• Dry, flaky skin.
• Swelling of the skin.

Often with this condition, sunburn or other symptoms develop after a short amount of sun exposure.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms. It is important to talk with your health care provider about your symptoms, including:

• The timing of your symptoms, such as whether you have symptoms immediately after being in the sun, or after a long period of being in the sun.
• How long your symptoms last.
• Where your symptoms occur on your face or body.

Some types of sun sensitivity can be diagnosed with:

• A skin biopsy. This a test that involves taking a small sample of skin to be examined.
• A blood test to check for certain medical conditions or genetic factors.
• Light testing to see how you react to UV (ultraviolet) light, which is the type of light that comes from the sun.

How is this treated?

This condition is often treated by preventing known causes of sun sensitivity. This may include protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding certain skin products. Your health care provider may recommend that you take an antihistamine medicine or apply prescription cream to affected areas to help relieve symptoms.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Do not break any blisters that you have.
• Do not scratch your skin while you have symptoms. Doing that can make symptoms worse.
• Apply a cool cloth to affected areas. This may help to relieve symptoms. Do not apply ice to your affected skin. Icing can cause further damage.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

How is this prevented?

• Avoid skin products that cause symptoms, such as cosmetics and lotions.
• Avoid being in the sun while taking medicines that are known to cause sun sensitivity. Ask your health care provider if any medicines that you take may cause sun sensitivity.
• Avoid the sun when it is strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Cover your skin with pants, long sleeves, and a hat when you are exposed to sunlight.
• Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 or more minutes before you go outside, even on cloudy days.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Consider using an SPF of 30 or higher if you will be exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
  • Use a waterproof or water-resistant sunscreen that protects against all of the sun’s rays (broad-spectrum).
  • Apply a thick coat of sunscreen over all exposed skin. Typically, a palm-size amount of sunscreen will cover your whole body.
  • Do not use sunscreen on a baby who is younger than 6 months of age.
• Reapply sunscreen:
  • About every 2 hours, whether it is sunny or cloudy. Reapply more often if you are sweating a lot.
  • After swimming or playing in the water.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
• Your rash does not go away.
• Your pain or itching is not controlled with medicine.
• Your skin becomes more painful and swollen.
• You have a fever.
• You have open blisters.

Get help right away if:

• You have bleeding underneath skin that was exposed to the sun.
• You have pus or fluid coming from any blisters.
• You suddenly develop a rash as well as:
  • Swelling around your eyes or lips.
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Trouble breathing.

Summary

• Sun sensitivity, also called photosensitivity, is a condition in which exposure to sunlight causes skin irritation.
• Some medicines, skin products, and medical conditions can cause sun sensitivity.
• Avoid being in the sun while taking medicines that are known to cause sun sensitivity.
• Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 or more minutes before you go outside, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen as directed.