Photosensitivity means that your skin is very sensitive to the sunlight and you can get rashes on your skin easily from the exposure to the sun.
Photosensitivity is the amount to which an object reacts upon receiving photons, especially visible light.
In medicine, the term is principally used for abnormal reactions of the skin, and two types are distinguished, photoallergy and phototoxicity.
Photosensitivity is heightened skin sensitivity or an unusual reaction when your skin is exposed to UV radiation from sunlight or a tanning bed.
Photosensitivity will look like a red rash with tiny bumps or have slightly raised patches of skin.
A photosensitivity rash will appear as red, tiny bumps or slightly raised patches of skin.
Polymorphous light eruption, also known as polymorphic light eruption, is a rash caused by sun exposure in people who have developed sensitivity to sunlight.
To treat chemical photosensitivity reactions, corticosteroids are applied to the skin and the substance that is causing the reaction is avoided.
Solar urticaria can be difficult to treat, but doctors may try histamine (H1) blockers (antihistamines), corticosteroids applied to the skin, or sunscreens.
Phototoxicity, also called photoirritation, is a chemically induced skin irritation, requiring light, that does not involve the immune system.
It is a type of photosensitivity.
The skin response resembles an exaggerated sunburn.
The involved chemical may enter into the skin by topical administration or it may reach the skin via systemic circulation following ingestion or parenteral administration.
The chemical needs to be "photoactive," which means that when it absorbs light, the absorbed energy produces molecular changes that cause toxicity.
Many synthetic compounds, including drug substances like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones, are known to cause these effects.
Surface contact with some such chemicals causes photodermatitis; many plants cause phytophotodermatitis.
Light-induced toxicity is a common phenomenon in humans; however, it also occurs in other animals.
Phototoxicity is a known effect of fluoroquinolones, and most fluoroquinolones seem able to cause phototoxicity (and perhaps photocarcinogenesis to a greater or lesser degree) [4, 8–11]: in the UK, a postmarketing study of oral ciprofloxacin demonstrated phototoxicity in 2 of 37 000 treated patients (5.4/100 000).
Photoallergic is when certain photoreactive allergens in skin absorb light and create an inflammatory response.
These chemicals may be applied topically or diffuse into skin following systemic administration of a drug.
Photoallergic is also known as a photoallergy.
Photoallergic reaction: This type occurs when a chemical applied to the skin reacts with sunlight.
Several types of medications, as well as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrances can cause the reaction.
In cases of phototoxic reactions, the patient presents with skin changes resembling sunburn, sometimes accompanied by blistering, whereas in cases of photoallergic reactions the skin changes are similar to those of allergic contact dermatitis.
The body produces antibodies and attacks, causing a reaction.
A photoallergic reaction can leave you with a rash, blisters, red bumps or even oozing lesions one to three days after application and exposure to the sun.
Once the blisters begin to heal, usually after 7–14 days , the skin may show signs of darkening, which is known as hyperpigmentation.
This stage of phytophotodermatitis, also known as post-inflammatory pigmentation, may last for many weeks or months.
Sun allergy is a term often used to describe a number of conditions in which an itchy red rash occurs on skin that has been exposed to sunlight.
The most common form of sun allergy is polymorphic light eruption, also known as sun poisoning.
Some people have a hereditary type of sun allergy.