Sun-Sensitive Drugs (Photosensitivity to Drugs) (cont.)
Medical Author:
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEPJohn P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MDMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. In this Article
 Can any foods or plants cause sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) reactions?
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Some vegetables and plants may cause sun sensitivity if they come into contact with the skin. Mango peel, lime juice, parsnips, or celery, for example, may cause temporary discoloration (darkening) of the skin contact area when in the sun. Common phototoxic fruits and vegetables include:
Pictures of foods and plant sun-sensitivity (photosensitivity) reactionsPicture of phytophotodermatitis hyperpigmentation 
Picture of photodermatitis 
Picture of photodermatitis with blisters 
Are there any medical applications of sun sensitivity (photosensitivity)?Photodynamic therapy utilizes the concept of sun or light sensitivity to treat some skin conditions including skin pre-cancers (actinic keratosis), skin cancers, and acne. Briefly, this treatment takes advantage of activating a photosensitizing drug (such as 5-aminolevulinic acid) by shining light directly onto it for a short time. The drug is first applied to the area of the skin where the cancer or pre-cancer is found. With light-induced activation of the drug, the abnormal cells (cancer or pre-cancer) are destroyed preferentially. Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD on 7/18/2012 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Sun-Sensitive Drugs - Foods and Plants
Question: What vegetables, fruits or plants cause you to have a photosensitivity reaction?
Sun-Sensitive Drugs - Medication Types
Question: If you had a sun-sensitive reaction to a drug, what was the medication?
Sun-Sensitive Drugs - Symptoms
Question: Describe your reaction or symptoms to a sun-sensitive medication.
Sun-Sensitive Drugs - Treatment
Question: What type of treatment did you receive after experiencing a sun-sensitive drug reaction?
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