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Redness of the skin
Rashes
Red when exposed to the sun
There are blisters
Skin patch causing redness
Hot skin
Itchy
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Photosensitivity?
A condition in which the skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet rays. It can be caused by medications and autoimmune disease (body's immune system attacking its own cells).
Typical Symptoms of Photosensitivity
- Redness in sun-exposed areas of skin
- Suffered a burn
- Affected area is warm to touch
- Skin problem on the chest, tummy or back
- Itchy skin
- Blisters on the skin
- Skin problem of the legs, in the area between thigh and ankle
- Skin over the entire body is red
Diagnostic Questions for Photosensitivity
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have redness on sun-exposed skin?
- Did you sustain any burns?
- Is the affected area hot to touch?
- Are there any skin problems on your stomach, chest, or back?
- Do you have itchy skin?
Treatment of Photosensitivity
Treatment depends on the cause. Creams and pain relievers can help alleviate symptoms. Meanwhile, avoiding sunlight and using sunscreen will prevent symptoms from worsening.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- A burn
- Redness
- Sunburn
- The area is hot to touch
- Hair is fragile and breaks easily in the area of the burn
- Back burned
- Skin has heat
- The skin is itchy and has scratches
- In the area that was burnt, the hair breaks off easily
- The lower leg feels hot
- Knee burn
- Burn in an area smaller than the palm
- Skin itching that worsens at night
- Calf feels hot
- Total area of burn larger than my back
See full list
Symptoms Related to Photosensitivity
Diseases Related to Photosensitivity
FAQs
Q.
Net-like rash? Why your skin is mottled and the medical next steps for toasted skin syndrome.
A.
A net-like, lacy rash is often from toasted skin syndrome, a repeated moderate-heat injury from laptops, heating pads, or heaters that appears exactly where heat is applied; removing the heat early may reverse it, while ongoing exposure can leave permanent discoloration and rarely lead to skin cancer. There are several factors to consider. Other look-alikes include cold-induced livedo, autoimmune or clotting disorders, and some red-flag symptoms that need urgent care; see the complete guidance below for diagnosis clues, immediate steps, when to see a dermatologist, and prevention and treatment options.
References:
* Tan, S., & Tan, A. S. (2016). Erythema ab igne: a comprehensive review. *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, *75*(2), 432-439.
* Page, E. H., & Bittiner, M. J. (2006). Erythema ab igne (toasted skin syndrome). *Dermatology Online Journal*, *12*(4), 13.
* Shah, A., & Sharma, M. (2018). Erythema ab igne – revisiting an old disease. *Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology*, *84*(6), 666.
* Bilimoria, R., & Bilimoria, G. (2016). Erythema ab igne: a common but frequently misdiagnosed condition. *Clinical and Experimental Dermatology*, *41*(7), 770-773.
* Lin, Z., Zhang, J., & Lin, Y. (2020). Erythema Ab Igne and Its Potential Malignant Transformation. *Indian Dermatology Online Journal*, *11*(2), 195.
Q.
Retinol Cream Damage? Why Your Skin Reacts & Medical Next Steps
A.
Retinol cream reactions are common and often temporary, but severe burning, swelling, blistering, pigment changes, or symptoms lasting beyond two weeks can signal barrier damage, dermatitis, photosensitivity, or infection. Pause use, focus on barrier repair and daily SPF, then reintroduce a lower strength slowly, and seek medical care for intense pain, open wounds, infection signs, or if pregnant or managing eczema or rosacea; there are several factors that could change your next steps, so see the complete guidance below for how to tell a normal purge from a problem and when to call a doctor.
References:
* Del Rosso JQ, Kircik L. Topical retinoids: a comprehensive review of their clinical utility and safety. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 May;12(5):538-44. PMID: 23652516.
* Rerknimitr P, Viwatthanadit S, Udompanich S, Intaraprasit M. Retinoid dermatitis: a review of the etiology, clinical manifestations, and management. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Jul 27;14:1021-1033. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S322589. PMID: 34349479; PMCID: PMC8325793.
* Leyden JJ, Shalita A, Thiboutot D, Walters B. Management of common adverse events with topical retinoids in acne vulgaris. Cutis. 2007 Mar;79(3):195-201. PMID: 17402434.
* Kim S, Kim YJ, Jang YY, Oh SK, Ko JW. Topical retinoids and the stratum corneum: an update. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Apr;22(4):1144-1150. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15570. Epub 2023 Feb 11. PMID: 36774641.
* Tang-Lim BC, Lim HW. Improving the tolerability of topical retinoids for the treatment of acne vulgaris and photoaging. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Dec;65(6):1224-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2011.08.016. PMID: 22079379.
Q.
Mugwort Side Effects? Why Your Body Is Reacting & Medically Approved Steps
A.
Mugwort side effects include allergic reactions especially if you have ragweed allergies, skin dermatitis, digestive upset, dizziness or rare seizures from thujone, and it is not considered safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Stop using it, manage mild symptoms with antihistamines, hydration, and cool compresses, and seek urgent care for breathing trouble, throat or facial swelling, severe dizziness, or seizures; there are several factors to consider, and the complete medically approved steps and risks that could change your next move are detailed below.
References:
* Radauer C. Mugwort and cross-reactivity with food allergens: An update. Allergol Select. 2017;1(1):28-34. PMID: 29904791.
* Trautmann A. Allergy to mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2018 Jun;16(6):735-736. PMID: 29858607.
* Wopfner N, Gadermaier G, Hauser M, Gottsbacher H, Ferreira F. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen allergy. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2005 May;49(5):447-64. PMID: 15838842.
* Vaitkaitis D, Vaitkaitiene E, Barkauskiene R, Sakalauskas R, Ryselis A. Prevalence of mugwort pollen allergy in asthmatic patients in Lithuania. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2011 Nov-Dec;39(6):357-61. PMID: 20951478.
* Schmidt RJ, De Smet E, De Witte P. Contact allergy to mugwort: identification of sesquiterpene lactones as allergens. Contact Dermatitis. 2004 Feb;50(2):100-2. PMID: 15009002.
Q.
Aloe Vera Not Helping? Why Your Skin Is Reacting & Medical Next Steps
A.
If aloe vera is stinging or not helping, the most likely reasons are allergy or contact dermatitis, using it for the wrong condition like fungal or bacterial infections, sun-triggered reactions, sealing in sweat or germs on unclean skin, or a damaged skin barrier. Next steps include stopping it, simplifying to a gentle cleanser plus a bland moisturizer and sunscreen, and seeing a clinician within days if not improving or sooner for spreading redness, pus, fever, severe pain, blistering, or breathing or facial swelling. There are several factors to consider. See below for detailed guidance and specific medical triggers and treatments that could change your next steps.
References:
* Abd-El-Hady S. Aloe Vera for Treating Skin Ulcers: A Review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021 May 1;20(5):548-554. PMID: 33917878.
* Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe vera: a systematic review of its therapeutic properties and clinical applications. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53(4):163-6. PMID: 20569735.
* Sarad J, Badiye A, Patni R. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Aloe Vera: A Case Series and Review of the Literature. Indian J Dermatol. 2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):417-420. PMID: 30419827.
* Litchman T, Litchman R, Markowitz O. Update on the diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Jun 1;21(3):272-277. PMID: 33945037.
* Sarma N. Allergic contact dermatitis: a concise guide for the general practitioner. Aust J Gen Pract. 2018 Jun;47(6):353-356. PMID: 29906644.
Q.
Retinol Burn? Why Your Skin Is Peeling & Medical Next Steps
A.
Retinol burn and peeling usually stem from retinoid dermatitis during the early adjustment to retinol, where mild dryness and flaking can be normal. Intense redness, stinging pain, swelling, blisters, crusting, or raw skin suggest barrier damage that needs different care; there are several factors to consider, and the details are below. Pause retinol, switch to gentle barrier repair with moisturizer and daily SPF, optionally use a short 1% hydrocortisone course and cool compresses, avoid other actives, seek medical care for blistering, severe swelling, infection signs, persistent pain, or lack of improvement, and once healed restart low and slow with a pea-sized amount a few nights per week or use the sandwich method; full step-by-step guidance is below.
References:
* Vafa, S., et al. Retinoids: Literature Review and Clinical Applications. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Mar;12(3):571-583. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00684-x. Epub 2022 Feb 10. PMID: 35154371.
* Sorg, O., et al. Topical Retinoids: A Comprehensive Review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Jan;78(1):1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.07.039. Epub 2017 Nov 29. PMID: 29199516.
* Del Rosso, J. Q., et al. Strategies for Managing Retinoid-Induced Irritation in Acne: A Practical Guide. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 Jun;13(6):19-24. PMID: 32677840.
* Rzany, B., et al. Topical retinoid therapy: an update on adherence, side effects, and benefits. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014 Oct;28(10):1314-9. doi: 10.1111/jdv.12642. Epub 2014 Sep 27. PMID: 25164478.
* Leyden, J. J., et al. The effect of topical retinoids on the skin barrier function: A review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Apr;12(4):418-23. PMID: 23649666.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Hofmann GA, Weber B. Drug-induced photosensitivity: culprit drugs, potential mechanisms and clinical consequences. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021 Jan;19(1):19-29. doi: 10.1111/ddg.14314. PMID: 33491908; PMCID: PMC7898394.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddg.14314Momin N, Phan P, Ali AA, I Ali H, Seeger CM, Joseph M. Benzodiazepine-induced photosensitivity reactions: A compilation of cases from literature review with Naranjo causality assessment. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2021 Nov;37(6):505-510. doi: 10.1111/phpp.12691. Epub 2021 May 26. PMID: 33966295.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12691Lugović-Mihić L, Duvančić T, Ferček I, Vuković P, Japundžić I, Ćesić D. Drug-Induced Photosensitivity - a Continuing Diagnostic Challenge. Acta Clin Croat. 2017 Jun;56(2):277-283. doi: 10.20471/acc.2017.56.02.11. PMID: 29485795.
https://hrcak.srce.hr/clanak/274971Ibbotson S . Drug and chemical induced photosensitivity from a clinical perspective. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2018 Dec 5;17(12):1885-1903. doi: 10.1039/c8pp00011e. PMID: 30283959.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2018/PP/C8PP00011E