What medications can ruin your tan, and at the same time your health

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Hide from the sun if using any of the drugs on the list.

How medication and tanning are related

Medicines are designed to heal and protect against all kinds of diseases. But the drugs act not only on the causative agent of a particular ailment, but also on the body as a whole. In particular, they affect the condition of the skin.

Some products contain chemicals that penetrate the epidermis and can react with ultraviolet rays.

Sunlight hitting such altered skin can cause burns, allergies, and increased pigmentation in a matter of minutes. This change in skin properties by chemicals is called The Sun and Your Medicine photosensitivity or photosensitivity.

What is the photosensitivity

There are two types.

1. Photoallergy

The problem arises after a particular "harmful" substance gets on the skin. It can be ointment, cream, lotion. Moreover, we are talking not only about medicines, but also about products from the mass market.

Sunlight turns the substance into a strong allergen Sun-Sensitizing Drugs. And the skin responds with a rash like eczema.

Often, sun allergies do not occur immediately, but after a few days.

You may not even associate the rash that appears with sunburn. Moreover, it can spread throughout the body, and not only in those areas that were affected by the sun.

2. Phototoxic reaction

This is the most common type of light sensitivity. Light-sensitive substances get into the skin - from the outside or from the inside (when taking medications). They accumulate in the epidermis, absorb ultraviolet light and then release it. This causes cell death. The inflammatory process Phototoxicity: Its Mechanism and Animal Alternative Test Methods begins, which often leads to:

• redness and swelling of the skin;
• itching;
• the appearance of blisters;
• hyperpigmentation;
• the development of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or thyroid lesions;
• other skin changes up to the development of oncology.

What medicines are dangerous when sunbathing

An important caveat: the reaction to photosensitizing drugs is unpredictable. For some people, it never manifests itself. Others have it all the time. Still others may not experience photosensitivity for half their lives, until one day it fires. It is impossible to predict which category you belong to.

Therefore, the best way to avoid trouble is to stay out of the sun if you are using hazardous drugs. 7 Medications That May Make You Extra Sensitive to Sun and Heat.

1. Cosmetics with retinoids and AHA acids

These creams, serums and lotions help to get rid of acne and its consequences, "erase" wrinkles, even out skin relief, give it brightness and healthy color. But at the same time, both retinoids and AHA-acids have a pronounced phototoxic effect.

Popular pharmacy salicylic acid lotions, which are often used to combat acne, have the same effect.

2. Popular pain relievers

This refers to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, piroxicam, diclofenac.

Paracetamol does not belong to this group.

3. Some antibiotics

Antibiotics from the group of tetracyclines, quinolones and fluoroquinolones have a clear phototoxic effect.

4. Some medicines for allergies

We are talking about Sun-Sensitizing Drugs based on promethazine, cetirizine, diphenhydramine … In general, if you are taking any antihistamine, re-read the list of side effects: there may be photosensitivity.

5. Some diuretics

Preparations based on furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide are especially prone to photosensitization.

6. Some sedatives, antidepressants and antiemetics

Anyone can substitute a footboard for your skin, so carefully read the instructions in the "Side effects" section.

7. Drugs for the treatment of hypertension

In particular, products based on hydrochlorothiazide or diltiazem.

8. Some OTC vitamins and dietary supplements

Be especially wary of St. John's wort: products based on it dramatically increase the sensitivity of the skin. Niacin, a form of vitamin B3, also has a similar effect.

9. Some oral contraceptives and estrogen-based products

Not all, but again read the instructions and be careful when going out into the sun. Your friends: a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and strict adherence to safe tanning rules.