DearPharmacist » When the Sun Can Be Your Enemy

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Dear Pharmacist,
You recently wrote an article about how good the sun can be for you in creating vitamin D. The instructions with the medication I take for acne (doxycycline) state that I should stay away from the sun, so I do. What can happen if I don’t?
D.P., Gainesville, Florida

Answer: The sun does help you make more D, so long as your liver and kidneys are healthy enough to activate D to a useable form. Some medications warn against sun exposure because of a side effect known as “photosensitivity.” It isn’t a given because not everyone who uses a photosensitizing drug is affected. Offending drugs of this type cause some people to suffer a dreadful sunburn, brown splotchy patches or skin rash. Some drugs are more likely to cause reactions than others. Depending on the medication, this side effect may or may not be reversible.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic often prescribed for acne and has a strong reputation for causing skin damage in some people who are photosensitive. It is one of many drugs that increase a person’s photosensitivity, so you could burn after only a few minutes of exposure, where it might normally take two hours to get sunburned. Sunburn is just one type of reaction; it is possible to experience other short-term effects such as hives, eye burn, itches, blistering or scaling of the skin. Chronic effects with certain photosensitizing drugs include premature aging of the skin, skin cancer, strong allergic reactions and even cataracts.

For the record, the FDA reports that many household substances also cause photosensitive reactions. Such ingredients are commonly found in deodorants, antibacterial soaps, artificial sweeteners, mothballs, nylon and wool fibers and cadmium sulfide, a chemical injected into the skin during tattooing.

Interestingly, many blood pressure reducing medications, female hormones, birth control pills, anti-inflammatory arthritis medications and diabetic medications have the potential to cause photosensitive reactions.

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One Comment

julie schnur says:

December 26, 2009 at 1:57 pm

i have lupus, fibromyalgia, vit “D” def, B-12 def, and now beginning problems of stoe…ihave just recetly been watching natural new and mercola websites and came across you. been on drugs for about 22 years now…there is no control to anything and for the most parthave lost my ability to live life due to the daily complications, depression and all that go w/ the above mentioned medical problems. i am currently on plaquinel, vit b shots about every 3 weeks now due to pro-longed damage to nervous system, anti-inflames, prednisone, and during sometines of the year, lots of pain killers…any suggestions on what i can do to learn about, do better in and get the correct things i need to offset the mugging to my already weak and depleted body.

i want to get your book, but like many lillions of americans, my household is currently jobless and has been now for about a year, thus coming up w/ the funds at this time is difficult, so any help here and now would be wonderful in aiding me regain some of my life to enjoy here while i am still breathing on this eath…yes, i have reached a point of desperation and need assistance now to help me.

thanks so much for the information i have gained here today on your website regarding many issues. be blessed and keep us all updated and informed.

julie schnur

julie schnur says:

December 26, 2009 at 1:57 pm

i have lupus, fibromyalgia, vit “D” def, B-12 def, and now beginning problems of stoe…ihave just recetly been watching natural new and mercola websites and came across you. been on drugs for about 22 years now…there is no control to anything and for the most parthave lost my ability to live life due to the daily complications, depression and all that go w/ the above mentioned medical problems. i am currently on plaquinel, vit b shots about every 3 weeks now due to pro-longed damage to nervous system, anti-inflames, prednisone, and during sometines of the year, lots of pain killers…any suggestions on what i can do to learn about, do better in and get the correct things i need to offset the mugging to my already weak and depleted body.

i want to get your book, but like many lillions of americans, my household is currently jobless and has been now for about a year, thus coming up w/ the funds at this time is difficult, so any help here and now would be wonderful in aiding me regain some of my life to enjoy here while i am still breathing on this eath…yes, i have reached a point of desperation and need assistance now to help me.

thanks so much for the information i have gained here today on your website regarding many issues. be blessed and keep us all updated and informed.

julie schnur

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