Chemical Photosensitivity

Print less to save trees. Print with 300 dpi (draft mode) to reduce toner or ink used.
Toner dust is harmful to health and ink chemicals are harmful to the environment.

(Return to the original web page from this print version)

Perfume, colognes, deodorant, and cosmetics are some of the common items that cause photosensitivity

	Some chemicals can increase the sensitivity of human bodies to sunlight and other types of ultraviolet light, causing a variety of health problems known as photosensitivity disorders. These chemicals, called photo-reactive agents, are present in some medications, food additives and common household products.

	Photoreactive agents can cause both acute and chronic effects.

	Acute effects from short-term exposure inlcude:

	Exaggerated sunburn-like skin conditions Eye burn and mild allergic reactions Hives and abnormal reddening of the skin eczema-like rashes with itching, swelling, blistering, oozing, and scaling of the skin
	Chronic effects from long-term exposure include :

	Premature skin aging Stronger allergic reactions Cataracts, and blood vessel damage A weakened immune system, and skin cancer

Examples of products that cause chemical photosensitivity

1. Medications

	Common medications containing photoreactive agents include:

	Antihistamines used in cold and allergy medicines Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to control pain and inflammation in arthritis Antibiotics, including the tetracyclines and the sulfonamides (or “sulfa" drugs)
	Medications that induce photophobia (fear of light) include:

	Several drugs prescribed for irregular heartbeat, such as Crystodigin (digitoxin) and Duraquin (quinidine) Several drugs for diabetes, such as Tolinase (tolazamide) and Orinase (tolbutamide)
	In phototoxic reactions, the drug absorbs energy from UV light and releases the energy into the skin, causing skin cell damage or death. Frequently prescribed medications that cause phototoxic reactions include:

	Tetracycline antibiotics Over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers Advil, Nuprin and Motrin (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen sodium) Cordarone (amiodarone) used to control irregular heart beats

2. Food additives

3. Common household products

Some common household products with photoreactive agents include:

Deodorants, colognes, perfumes
Antibacterial soaps, hair dyes, hair styling creams
Artificial sweeteners, oral contraceptives
Fluorescent brightening agents for cellulose, nylon and wool fibers
Varnishes, shoe polish, vulcanized rubber, naphthalene (moth balls), petroleum products
In cadmium sulfide (a chemical injected into the skin during tattooing)
Cosmetics that contain musk ambrette, sandalwood oil, and bergamot oil