DOZENS of medications can increase your risk of sunburn, experts have warned.
Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs may cause higher sun sensitivity and could, without the right protection, leave you in agony.
GettySome medications can make you more susceptible to sunburn[/caption]
In the short term, this could mean sore, red skin that can make it difficult to sleep.
But in the longer term, frequent sunburn means you are more likely to get skin cancer – which kills six Brits every day.
The US Food and Drug Administration says: “Some medicines contain ingredients that may cause photosensitivity – a chemically induced change in the skin.
“Photosensitivity makes a person sensitive to sunlight and can cause sunburn-like symptoms, a rash or other unwanted side effects.
“It can be triggered by products applied to the skin or medicines taken by mouth or injected.”
Among the most common potentially problematic medicines are oral contraceptives – taken by almost a third of women in the UK.
Oestrogen and progestogen can make people more sensitive to sunlight than normal, so it is advised you avoid it until you know your tolerance.
Other drugs which can cause photosensitivity include antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, antidepressants and chemotherapy.
When the skin is photosensitive, even short periods of sun exposure can cause rashes, according to the NHS.
Speaking to Healthline, HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, clinical consultant at BuzzRx, added: “Drug-induced photosensitivity occurs when chemicals or drugs ingested orally or applied topically result in a photosensitive reaction (sunburn) from exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or a tanning bed.
“[Certain] medications make a person more sensitive to the sun, causing their skin to overreact to sunlight.
“Photosensitizing medications have a unique chemical make-up that becomes destabilised or altered when they come in contact with the absorbed UV rays.
“Skin reactions occur as a result of this interaction.
“Moreover, sun sensitivity can lead to severe sunburn even with brief exposure to sunlight.”
It is important to note that not everyone who takes any of the following medications will be more sensitive to the sun.
But extra precautions – like wearing sun cream, protective clothing and staying in the shade – should be taken.
As with all medications, if you have a reaction, speak to your doctor.
With that in mind, here are a range of drugs that could increase your chances of getting burnt this summer:
Antibiotics – doxycycline and other tetracycline drugs, fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, dapsoneAntidepressants – fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, amitriptyline, doxepin, St. John’s wortAntifungals – griseofulvin, voriconazole, flucytosineAntihistamines – promethazine, diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, cyproheptadineAntipsychotics – chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, thioridazine, thiothixene, prochlorperazineArthritis drugs – leflunomide, hydroxychloroquineBlood pressure drugs – hydrochlorothiazide, diltiazem, furosemide, bumetanideChemotherapy Cholesterol drugs – simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatinDiabetes medications – sulfonylureasHeart medications – amiodarone, diltiazem, nifedipineImmunosuppressants – cyclosporineNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – celecoxib, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, piroxicam, diclofenacOral contraceptives and oestrogens Sulfonamides – sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole
Things you should never put on sunburn
The NHS says these are things to avoid doing to sunburnt skin:
do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin
do not put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin
do not pop any blisters
do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin
do not wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburnt skin
Speak to your pharmacist about other ways to soothe sunburn, and medications you may be able to try.
If you are worried you or someone you know has heat stroke or heat exhaustion, or if skin is very blistered or swollen, call NHS 111 or speak to your GP.
If you’re looking for quick relief, experts suggest:
getting out of the sun as soon as possible
cooling your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel (take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold)
applyling aftersun cream or spray
drinking plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration
taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain
covering sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed