Photosensitivity

Overview

Photosensitivity is a tendency to sunburn easily. Many drugs cause photosensitivity, including some chemotherapy drugs. Protecting your skin from the sun is very important. If you should get a severe sunburn, treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

• What is photosensitivity?
• What causes photosensitivity?
• What are the symptoms of photosensitivity?
• What is the treatment for photosensitivity?
• What else can I do?

What is photosensitivity?

Photosensitivity is an enhanced skin response to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). This means that you may sunburn easily. A sunburn that you got within a week before chemotherapy may reappear, or rarely, a sunburn may spread to skin that was not exposed to the sun.

What causes photosensitivity?

There are many drugs that may cause photosensitivity. Chemotherapy drugs commonly associated with photosensitivity include:

• dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome®)
• fluorouracil (5-FU)
• methotrexate
• vinblastine (Velban®)

What are the symptoms of photosensitivity?

If you are photosensitive, you will sunburn easily. Symptoms of a sunburn include:

• Redness
• Inflammation
• Blistering
• Weeping
• Peeling

What is the treatment for photosensitivity?

The treatments for a rash that results from photosensitivity aim to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Corticosteroid cream: Steroids work by reducing inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream that you rub on the rash.

Analgesics: These over-the-counter medications can relieve pain associated with a rash. Examples are acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or aspirin.

What else can I do?

It is very important to protect your skin from the sun by following these tips:

• Wear long sleeves and long pants.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat.
• Wear light, cotton gloves.
• Use sunscreen on the skin that you cannot cover.
• Sunblock with physical barrier such as zinc oxide may be necessary for vulnerable areas, such as the hands and nose.