Skin light sensitivity (photosensitivity)

Skin light sensitivity (photosensitivity) means your skin reacts to light in an unusual way. When the skin is exposed to light, this can cause symptoms such as pain, redness, itching or a rash. These symptoms can range from very mild to very severe.

There are different types of light sensitivity conditions. Some are very common, while others are rarer. They can affect anyone, including people of different ages and skin types.

Types of light sensitivity

Light sensitivity conditions can be put into different groups depending on what causes them.

Some light sensitivity conditions happen when the immune system reacts unusually to light. This includes light sensitivity conditions like:

• polymorphic light eruption
• juvenile spring eruption
• chronic actinic dermatitis
• solar urticaria
• actinic prurigo
• actinic folliculitis
• hydroa vacciniforme

Light sensitivity symptoms can also be a side effect of some drugs or chemicals, for example:

• doxycycline
• quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin
• bendroflumethiazide and other thiazides
• quinine
• calcium channel blockers
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), although these rarely contribute to light sensitivity
• phenothiazines (including chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine)
• St John's Wort

These are only examples of drugs that may cause light sensitivity. It is not a complete list.

Speak to a healthcare professional if you are worried about the side effects of a medicine. Do not stop taking any medicine without speaking to your healthcare professional first.

Some light sensitivity conditions are caused by a genetic alteration. This includes:

• Xeroderma Pigmentosum
• Cockayne Syndrome
• Bloom Syndrome
• Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome

Photoaggravated skin diseases are also light sensitivity conditions. These conditions are not caused by light, but they can be triggered or made worse by exposure to light.

Some examples of photoaggravated light sensitivity conditions include:

• rosacea
• lupus erythematosus
• atopic dermatitis
• psoriasis
• Darier disease
• dermatomyositis
• pemphigus vulgaris or foliaceus