Did you know that your medication can damage skin?
Sometimes it’s permanent and sometimes not.
Most of you don’t even think about that as a side effect. Photosensitivity is a fairly common skin reaction that is sparked by taking medicines which interact with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. It happened to me once and luckily the red burning rash and tingling only affected my hands. It took only 2 hours of sun exposure on a shady trail while hiking in California. Still, it rendered me out of writing commission for a few days.
The big problem is that photosensitivity reactions are highly unpredictable. Nothing may happen the first three times you go swimming, but then the next time it’s dreadful. The reaction can differ with each exposure, and the specific medication you take. Perfumes containing “6-methylcoumarin” or “musk ambrette” may cause skin allergies, so it’s not just drugs.
For example, a classic reaction is a severe sunburn, but also possible are brown splotches in your skin, redness, pain and tenderness, an actual bumpy rash, hives, any inflammation. Photosensitivity reactions may cause permanent skin damage while others are reversible in a few days, it is very individual. Finally, just because you do not have a problem with medication now, doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing every time you take it. There are hundreds of offenders, and again my list does not mean you’ll have a reaction at all, it just means the possibility exists. Here goes:
Antibiotics: Sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and the UTI drug nitrofurantoin.
Psychoactive medications: Amitriptyline, imipramine, and other Tri-cyclic antidepressants. Also sertraline (Zoloft), venlafaxine (Effexor), mirtazapine (Remeron) and alprazolam (Xanax). The blockbuster Aripiprazole (Abilify) is another psyche med that has been associated with skin eruptions and sensitivity.
Accutane and Retin A: These are used to improve skin, so it’s ironic it can have a photosensitivity reaction, but they’re biggies.
Allergy meds and antihistamines: Cetirizine, diphenhydramine, loratadine and other blockbusters.
Blood pressure medications: Enalapril and amlodipine can sometimes cause “Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus” a painful skin eruption. Other offenders in this category include Vaseretic, Lotensin HCT, Dyazide and Hyzaar. Beta-blockers, diuretics and vasodilators require extra sun caution.
Diabetic drugs: Glipizide, glyburide, tolbutamide, glimepiride, acetohexamide, chlorpropamide and others. Metformin does not usually cause any problem.
Sulfa drugs: Acetazolamide, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole, sulfapyrazone, sulfasalazine, sulfacytine and others.
Estrogen-containing Meds: This is the bigger category of oral contraceptives or menopausal drugs, any of them, there are hundreds. Patches, pills, all of them can have a ‘photo’ reaction.
Statin cholesterol drugs: All of them, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin have the ability.
Diuretics: Many of them are skin sensitizers, however the popular HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide), this can cause a dangerous reaction called “Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.” Any drug containing HCTZ is a potential offender.
Anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs: Ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and celecoxib.
Precautions and Help for You
My list of medications is not complete so ask your pharmacist about your medication.
PHYSICAL SUN BLOCKERS
Please use natural sunscreens and sunblocks, wide-brimmed hats as well as clothing that covers you up well. There’s nothing wrong with being the only person in the pool in a T-shirt, who cares?
ALOE VERA
Aloe vera creams are soothing, as is the gel right from the plant.
Don’t underestimate this incredible spiky plant, it’s actually a cactus plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family. You see it all over dry climates like Arizona (United States), Africa and India and it’s been used medicinally for centuries. The clear gel contains skin-healing properties and you just apply it topically to your minor cuts, burns, dry skin and rashes.
LAVENDER
Try putting lavender essential oil (20 drops) and peppermint oil (2 drops) in some cold water, then make a cold compress out of that. It will cool on contact.
COMFREY & BAKING SODA
Compresses with comfrey root, baking soda water are the fastest way to take the sting out of your sunburn or rash.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
