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LIGHT SENSITIVE ECZEMA Eczema
that is caused by sunlight is very rare. If it happens it is likely to occur
on the face, hands and arms. Using high factor sun creams can treat it.
Numbers such as factor 15, which will protect you some but allows benefit from
the warmth of the sun and benefit from teh infra red rays and are not as damaging,
yet protects us for longer thant he damaging UVB and UBA rays
People suffering with light or photo-sensitve eczema may not associate
their skin condition with sun light. It is not always the bright summer
sun, which is responsible; some people also react to winter daylight,
and very sensitive people have reported to react to fluorescent lamps indoors.
Sometimes this eczema can be caused when people are taking medication
that reacts to sunlight e.g. antihistamines and arthritis medications.
Ingredients in soaps and cosmetics may also cause this. Light sensitive eczema is a direct result of a variety of factors: 1) Light sensitive eczema can result from the use of medications that react to sunlight such as antibiotics, antihistamines and arthritis medications. Exposure to the sunlight whlie taking these photosensitizing medications can result in unexpected sunburn or a dry, bumpy or blistering rash on exposed skin (face, neck, arms, backs of hands and often lower legs and feet). The rash may or may not be itchy. The most common medications causing photosensitivity are diuretics, tetracycline antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. Chemotherapy drugs can also result in light sensitivity. Basically all of these medications are acidic in nature so try to consume more alkaline water and vegetables and fruits and avoid the sodas, coffee, alcohol, pastas, breads ect. that are acidic and usually fattening and not as healthy. Before taking any medication, make sure your doctor is fully aware of you condition. Also if your current medication is causing the skin to worsen, call your doctor right away. 2) Direct contact with certain chemicals, fragrances. Ingredients in soaps and cosmetics may also cause photosensitivity. Skin contact with various chemicals may result in a toxic or allergic reaction on sun-exposed skin. Light sensitive eczema most often arises from tar based products, fragrances and sometimes sunscreens. 3) Autoimmune disease particularly lupus. Discoid lupus erythematosus is a form of lupus that results in a red, raised rash appearing on the face, scalp, or elsewhere. The raised areas may become thick and scaly and may cause scarring. The rash may last for days or years and may recur. A small percentage of people with discoid lupus have or develop another form of lupus called Systemic lupus erythematosus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the form of the disease that most people are referring to when they say "lupus." Another form of lupus called Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus refers to skin lesions that appear on parts of the body exposed to sun. The lesions do not cause scarring. 4) Porphyria disorders in which there are increased porphyrins in the skin. Porphyria results in blisters, itching, and swelling of the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Acute attacks of porphyria can develop over hours or days and last for days or weeks. 5) Genetic disorders such as Xeroderma pigmentosum. Xeroderma pigmentosum is a skin condition characterized by sun sensitivity and may include ocular involvement. Approximately 50% of affected individuals have acute sun sensitivity from early infancy, acquiring severe sunburn with blistering or persistent redness from minimal sun exposure; marked freckling of sun-exposed areas, extreme dry skin and telangiectasia. 6) Blisters and brown streaks may occur from touching certain plants followed by sun exposure. This is known as phytophotodermatitis. The most common causes are vegetables such as celery, parsley and their leaves as in the case with parsnips, carrots; fruit such as figs and citrus and umbelliferous weeds (e.g. hogweed) that contain photosensitizing psoralen chemicals. Many of these occurrences of light sensitive eczema may be mistaken for or confused with the onset of rosacea. In a definition provided by the |