What is photocontact dermatitis?
Photocontact dermatitis is a reaction that develops where chemicals are applied to the skin. This can be either phototoxic or photoallergic. This can be due to sunscreens (such as oxybenzone), fragrances, creams, insecticides, disinfectants, and a variety of other chemicals.
Phytophotodermatitis is a type of photocontact dermatitis, where UV radiation can convert chemicals in plants to chemicals which may lead to a photosensitive reaction. The most common class of chemicals are furocoumarins. These chemicals have evolved in plants to ward off predators, and some furocoumarins can have effects on the way our bodies handle drugs and medicines too.
Common plants which can cause phytophotodermatitis include:
- Parsnips, celery, parsley (plants from the Umbelliferae family)
- Bergamot lime, citron, zabon (plants from the Rutaceae family)
- Figs (plants from the Moraceae family)
- Beans (plants from the Leguminosa family)
Treatment and management of photosensitive dermatoses brought about by drugs and chemicals is centred on avoiding the chemical causing the reactions. Sunscreen can be worn (provided that the sunscreen itself does not cause a reaction), otherwise clothing be good protection against the sun. For photoallergic reactions, corticosteroids can be given if it is very severe.
Photosensitivity Guide Index:
- What is photosensitivity?
- What are some photosensitive dermatoses caused by drugs or other chemicals?
- What are phototoxic reactions?
- What are photoallergic reactions?
- What is photocontact dermatitis?
- What are genetic and metabolic metabolic photosensitive dermatoses?
- What is pellagra?
- Who gets pellagra?
- What are some signs and symptoms of pellagra?
- What are porphyrias?
- What are acute porphyrias?
- What are cutaneous porphyrias?
- What is xeroderma pigmentosum?
- What is Bloom syndrome?
- What is Cockayne syndrome?
- What are photoaggravated dermatoses?
- What is atopic eczema?
- What is psoriasis?
- What is lichen planus?
- What is lupus erythematosus?
- What is dermatomyositis?
- What is actinic folliculitis?
- What is disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis?
- What are acquired idiopathic photosensitive dermatoses?
- What is polymorphic light eruption?
- What is chronic actinic dermatitis?
- What is solar urticaria?
- What is actinic prurigo?
- What is hydroa vacciniforme?
- What is juvenile spring eruption?
ALLERGIES GUIDE
- Allergy Treatment
- Anaphylaxis
- Asthma
- Bee Stings
- Cow's Milk Allergy
- Drug Allergies
- Eczema
- Egg Allergies
- Food Allergies
- Hayfever
- Hives And Urticaria
- House dust Mite Allergy
- Latex Allergies
- Mould Allergies
- Poison Plant Allergies
- Peanut Allergy
- Pet Allergies
- Photosensitivity
- Seafood Allergies
- Shellfish Allergy
- Soya Allergy
- Tree Nut Allergy
- Wheat Allergies