June 15, 2008
Summer Skin Care
With the coming of summer comes the responsibility of skin care.
During the summer many of us spend more time outdoors when the sun is stronger. Everyone knows their normal limits to sun exposure, but they may forget that certain drugs may alter their sensitivity to the sun and as a result cause sunburn.
The drugs by themselves do not cause sunburn, but they can act as photosensitizers, making the skin more sensitive to sunlight and more susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Many widely used medications can lead to an increased sensitivity to sunlight. With some medications, sunlight exposure can trigger a fine red rash and others may burn more severely or more quickly than normal.
These problems, called photosensitivity reactions, can occur when a person is exposed to sunlight and other types of UV light for even brief amounts of time such as exposure to UV light in tanning beds or indirect sun exposure.
The more commonly used medications causing sun sensitivity include antibiotics (tetracyline, doxycycline, and cotrimaxazole), retinoids (Retin-A), diuretics (hyrochlorothiazide and furosemide), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and naproxen), cardiovascular agents (Diltiazem), tricyclic anti-depressants (nortriptyline and amitriptyline), and antihistamines. This is a list of the ones more widely prescribed, however if you have concerns about a drug not listed above please check with your pharmacist.
Ideally, people should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight while using any of these medications. When exposure cannot be avoided, they should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, preferably 30. Another recommendation is that people wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. When purchasing sunscreen, look for products that contain ingredients such as avobenzone, dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Be sure to follow the labeled directions and apply at least one full ounce of sunscreen 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapply it after swimming or excessive sweating.
Applying a sunscreen may help protect against the sun's burning rays, but if you are using one of the above medications, you may need to take additional precautions such as wearing protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and tightly woven, long sleeved shirts and pants.
Hopefully, by following these simple tips and recognizing photosensitivities with drugs you can avoid the harsh effects of the summer sun!