DETROIT – As the days grow longer one thing is certain: We will all have more exposure to the sun and that can cause painful problems for people on certain medications.
About two weeks ago, I was on doxycycline for strep throat and didn’t really think much of it until I went out fishing on a sunny day and didn’t protect my thumbs from the sun. Within 20 minutes of coming in, both thumbs were on fire. I couldn’t even wash my hands with warm water. I knew right away what happened and it took about a week for the burning to go away.
Here’s how you can avoid my stupid mistake.
“Most photosensitizing reactions are going to look like an exaggerated sunburn -- so you were only outside for an hour, you expect maybe you’d only have a little bit of pinkness but you’re really red and then a severe reaction can be blistering - you can have a blistering reaction that can be really painful and take days to recover from,” said Henry Ford Health dermatologist Dr. Alison Boucher. “Antibiotics is a really big one, especially because it’s something you may be taking for just a short period of time, something you’re not used to being on.”
Certain medications essentially sensitize your skin to the ultraviolet rays of the sun -- common medications to be aware of include:
Antibiotics -- especially ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, tetracycline, and trimethoprim -- certain antifungals, cholesterol lowering drugs, diuretics -- especially thiazides -- retinoids, sulfa drugs, contraceptives and even anti-inflammatory and antihistamine drugs.
“Higher doses may cause more photosensitivity and definitely the longer that you are out in the sun the worse that reaction can get,” Boucher said. “If you have a widespread blistering rash with a lot of pain or discomfort, it’s important to seek out care in order to help with the healing process.”
To avoid these reactions -- do the same thing you do to prevent a sunburn -- sunscreen, clothing, and shade. If you develop a reaction, Boucher recommends a moisturizing cream particularly with aloe, cool compresses or cool showers, and a low dose over the counter steroid cream like hydrocortisone.
If you have to take a medication that you know will make you more sensitive to the sun and you’re going on vacation, you should talk to your doctor about whether it might be safe to hold your medication for that time or switch to a different but similar medication -- but definitely don’t stop it without talking to your doctor.
Related: Hank Winchester’s wake-up call: Ignoring my health nearly cost me everything