II. Background
- Drugs below are Photosensitizers
- Skin reactions secondary to Photosensitizers
III. Signs
IV. Management
-
General measures
- Eliminate causative Photosensitizer or lower dose (most reactions are dose dependent)
- Use Sunscreen (see below)
- Use cool compresses for comfort
- Expect Photosensitivity Reactions to persist for weeks
- Significant inflammation (red, Blistered) management
- Antihistamines (e.g. Cetirizine) as needed for Pruritus
- Topical Corticosteroid
- Low potency on the face (e.g. Desonide)
- Moderate potency on other areas (e.g. Triamcinolone cream)
- High potency agents may be considered on hands (e.g. Clobetasol)
- Oral Corticosteroids
- May be considered in diffuse reaction
V. Prevention
- Wear protective clothing
- Consider taking photosensitizing medications in the evening (lower drug levels during daytime hours)
- UVA exposure is associated with photosensitivity
- Use both UVA and UVB protection
- Use Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Mexoryl for sun block (esp. covers UVA)
VI. Causes: Most Common
- Antibiotics (Fluoroquinolones, Tetracyclines, Sulfonamides)
- Cardiovascular medications (Amiodarone, Thiazide Diuretics)
VII. Causes: Psychiatric and Neurologic Medications
VIII. Causes: Cardiovascular Medications
IX. Causes: Oncology - Antineoplastic medications
X. Causes: Otolaryngology Medications - Antihistamines
XI. Causes: Infectious Disease Medications
-
Antibiotics
- Fluoroquinolones
- Ceftazidime
- Trimethoprim
- Sulfonamides (e.g. Bactrim)
- Tetracycline, Doxycycline and related agents
-
Antiparasitic Agents
- Thiabendazole
- Chloroquine
- Quinine
- Antifungal agents
XIII. Causes: Rheumatologic Medications - NSAIDS
XIV. Causes: Dermatologic and Topical Medications
-
Sunscreens
- Benzophenones
- Para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)
- Digalloyl Trioleate
-
Acne Vulgaris Medications
- Isotretinoin (Accutane)
- Retin A
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Etretinate
- Alopecia Medications
-
Soap Deodorants
- Bithionol
- Carbanilide
- Dichlorophene
- Hexachlorophene
XV. Causes: Phytophotodermatitis - Food, herb, or dye exposure
- Oils in Perfumes, Cosmetics, Aftershaves, Lipsticks
- Bergamot
- Citron
- Citrus
- Lavender
- Lime and other psoralens
- Vanillin or Vanilla
- Sandalwood
- Cedar
- 6-Methylcoumarin
- Musk ambrette
- Pigments and Dyes
- Acriflavine
- Anthraquinone dye (Disperse blue 35)
- Eosin
- Neutral red
- Proflavine
- Rivanol
- Yellow cadmium sulfide (used in Tattooing)
- Rose bengal
- Methylene blue
- Fluorescein
- Plant exposures
- Furocoumarins
- Buttercup
- Carrots
- Celery
- Dill
- Fennel
- Fig
- Lime
- Mustard
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- St. John's Wort
- Yarrow
- Psoralens
- Ammi majus
- Angelica
- Coriander
- Food additives
- Sulfite additives in food
XVI. References
- (2023) Presc Lett 30(5): 28-9
- (2019) Presc Lett 26(8): 43
- Litt (1997) Drug Eruption Reference Manual
- Jhun and DeClerck in Herbert (2016) EM:Rap 16(4): 11-2
- Drucker (2011) Drug Saf 34(10): 821-37 [PubMed]
- Gould (1995) J Am Acad Dermatol 33:551-73 [PubMed]
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
Concepts | Disease or Syndrome (T047) |
SnomedCT | 95349002, 44483004, 238521005 |
English | Dermatitis bullosa et striata, Phytophotodermatitis due to topical exposure to furocoumarin, dermatitis bullosa striata pratensis (diagnosis), phytophotodermatitis (diagnosis), phytophotodermatitis, dermatitis bullosa striata pratensis, Phytophotodermatitis, Dermatitis bullosa et striata pratensis, Meadow dermatitis, Plant photodermatitis, Dermatitis bullosa striata pratensis, Meadow grass dermatitis, Phytophlyctodermatitis, Phytophotodermatitis (disorder), Phytophotodermatitis due to topical exposure to furocoumarin (disorder), Phytophotodermatitis, NOS |
Dutch | fytofotodermatitis |
French | Phytophotodermatose |
German | Wiesengraeserdermatitis |
Italian | Fitofotodermatite |
Portuguese | Fitofotodermatite |
Spanish | Fitofotodermatosis, dermatitis ampollosa estriada de las praderas, dermatitis de la hierba de las praderas, dermatitis de la pradera, dermatitis de las praderas (trastorno), dermatitis de las praderas, fitoflictodermatitis, fitofotodermatitis (concepto no activo), fitofotodermatitis (trastorno), fitofotodermatitis, fotodermatitis vegetal |
Japanese | 植物性光線皮膚炎, ショクブツセイコウセンヒフエン |
Czech | Fytofotodermatitida |
Hungarian | Phytophotodermatitis |