Photosens
Photosensitivity
Photosensitivity (pronounced: pho·to·sen·si·tiv·i·ty) is a condition in which the skin reacts abnormally to sunlight. The reaction can be a sunburn, blisters, or rash.
Etymology
The term "photosensitivity" comes from the Greek words "photo" meaning light and "sensitivity" meaning susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
Related Terms
- Photodermatitis: A form of allergic contact dermatitis in which the allergen must be activated by light before it can sensitize the skin.
- Phototoxicity: A severe skin reaction caused by exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet light after using certain medications or substances.
- Photoallergy: An immune system reaction that is triggered by sunlight.
- Solar Urticaria: A rare condition that causes a person to develop hives, a red, itchy rash, and other allergic-type reactions after exposure to sunlight.
Symptoms
Symptoms of photosensitivity may include:
- Redness or rash on the skin
- Pain or discomfort in the affected area
- Blisters or hives
- Itching
- Swelling
Causes
Photosensitivity can be caused by various factors including:
- Certain medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines, and antidepressants
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Certain medical conditions such as lupus and rosacea
- Genetic or metabolic factors
Treatment
Treatment for photosensitivity depends on the cause and may include:
- Avoiding exposure to sunlight
- Using sunscreen
- Wearing protective clothing
- Medications to reduce inflammation and discomfort
- Desensitization therapy
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Photosens
- Wikipedia's article - Photosens
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski