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Drug Saf 2019 Mar 19. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Photosensitive drug eruptions are cutaneous adverse events due to exposure to a medication and either ultraviolet or visible radiation. In this review, the diagnosis, prevention and management of drug-induced photosensitivity is discussed. Diagnosis is based largely on the history of drug intake and the appearance of the eruption primarily affecting sun-exposed areas of the skin. Read More

Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2019 Mar 31;28(1):e1769. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Juntendo University Schizophrenia Projects (JUSP), Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.

Objectives: Photosensitivity to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation from sunlight is an important side effect of treatment with antipsychotic agents. However, the pathophysiology of drug-induced photosensitivity remains unclear. Recent studies demonstrated the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), annotated as carbonyl stress, to be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 03 19;35(2):124-126. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.

Photochem Photobiol Sci 2018 Dec;17(12):1885-1903

Photobiology Unit, Dermatology Department, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.

Drug photosensitivity is a relatively common occurrence and a range of mechanisms may be involved. Some of these mechanisms will be discussed, including the most common, that of drug phototoxicity. Different types of photosensitivity are addressed with respect to clinical presentation, mechanisms and additionally the contribution to our understanding through clinically directed investigations and regulatory requirements. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Dec 10;79(6):1069-1075. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Phototoxicity has been attributed to numerous oral drugs over the past 60 years.

Objective: Determine the quality of evidence supporting suspected phototoxicity from oral drugs.

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for all studies that contain original data for drug-induced phototoxicity and were published between May 1959 and December 2016. Read More

Am J Clin Dermatol 2018 Oct;19(5):707-731

Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, 3031 West Grand Blvd, Suite 800, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.

Photodermatoses occur in males and females of all races and ages. Onset can be variable in timing and influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Photodermatoses are broadly classified as immunologically mediated, chemical- and drug-induced, photoaggravated, and genetic (defective DNA repair or chromosomal instability) diseases. Read More

Int J Toxicol 2018 Jul/Aug;37(4):296-307. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

1 Charles River Laboratories Den Bosch B.V., DD 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.

Drug-induced phototoxicity occurs when drugs absorb natural sunlight, leading to chemical reactions causing cellular damage. Distribution to light-exposed tissues is critical and is enhanced by binding to melanin. The International Council on Harmonization S10 guidance document on photosafety evaluation of pharmaceuticals states that although nonpigmented skin tends to be more sensitive than pigmented skin, pigmented skin models should be considered for drugs that bind significantly to melanin. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Nov 15;32(11):1879-1886. Epub 2018 Jul 15.

Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.

Photodermatoses represent a heterogeneous collection of disorders unified by the characteristic of being provoked through exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Generally, these conditions are classified into the following categories: immunologically mediated photodermatoses, chemical- and drug-induced photosensitivity, photoaggravated dermatoses and photosensitivity associated with defective DNA repair mechanisms or chromosomal instabilities. The list of photodermatoses is extensive, and each individual photodermatosis is understood to a different extent. Read More

Clin Med (Lond) 2018 06;18(3):259-260

Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia.

Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole are commonly used in the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) as well as Parkinson's disease. Pramipexole's common side effects are well documented; however, adverse skin reactions are less well known. In this case, a 45-year-old male farmer presented with excessive daytime tiredness and reported a history suggestive of RLS. Read More

J Wildl Dis 2018 07 2;54(3):491-502. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

1   School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2678, Australia.

We describe the clinicopathologic features of a mortality event characterized by blindness and dermatitis affecting eastern grey kangaroos ( Macropus giganteus), secondary to hepatogenous photosensitization. Affected animals exhibited photophobic behavior, blindness, ataxia, recumbency, lethargy, ear shaking, and behavior consistent with distress or depression. The photophobia manifested as abnormal shade-seeking during the day, including finding refuge under or in structures used frequently by people. Read More

Acta Clin Croat 2017 Jun;56(2):277-283

Clinical Department of Dermatovenereology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.

When taking different drugs, their possible side effects on the skin should be considered, including skin reactions connected to photosensitivity. This photosensitivity caused by drugs can appear as phototoxic reactions (which occur more often) or photoallergic reactions (which occur less often and include allergic mechanisms). The following drugs stand out as medications with a high photosensitivity potential: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cardiovascular drugs (such as amiodarone), phenothiazines (especially chlorpromazine), retinoids, antibiotics (sulfonamides, tetracyclines, especially demeclocycline and quinolones), etc. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2018 Oct 24;153(5):672-684. Epub 2018 Jan 24.

Institute of Dermatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

The potential carcinogenic risk of antihypertensive drugs has been examined in several studies that reported controversial results. The association between treatment with antihypertensives and risk of skin cancer has also been questioned, considering the long-term administration of such drugs and the ability of some agents to cause photosensitive reactions. In fact, experimental and epidemiologic findings suggest a link between drug-induced photosensitivity and skin cancer, possibly through the induction of DNA damage in predisposed individuals. Read More

Biol Pharm Bull 2017 ;40(12):2158-2165

Laboratory of Drug Informatics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University.

Drug-induced photosensitivity (DIP) refers to the development of cutaneous disorders caused by the combined effects of different medications and light. The aim of this study was to obtain new information on drug risk comparisons and on DIP onset profiles, including seasonal variations, for clinically used prescription drugs. We analyzed reports of DIP recorded in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database using a reporting odds ratio (ROR). Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2019 Jun 30;154(3):366-367. Epub 2017 Nov 30.

Unit of Allergology and Occupational Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Hautarzt 2018 Jan;69(1):64-66

Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.

We report about a 52-year-old woman with onset of drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) in sun-exposed areas, under therapy with secukinumab. Topical therapy with a steroid class 3 for 4 weeks showed substantial improvement. The systemic therapy was switched to ustekinumab. Read More

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2017 Nov 5;88(Pt 1):46-55. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Drug Safety Research Laboratories, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 26-1, Muraoka-higashi 2-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan. Electronic address:

In vivo phototoxicity studies are important to predict drug-induced phototoxicity in humans; however, a standard methodology has not established. To determine differences in sensitivity to drug-induced phototoxicity among various skin sites, we evaluated phototoxic reactions in the back and abdominal skin of female Sprague-Dawley rats orally dosed with phototoxic drugs (pirfenidone, 8-methoxysoraren, doxycycline, and lomefloxacin) or a non-phototoxic drug (gatifloxacin) followed by solar-simulated light irradiation comprising 18J/cm ultraviolet A. Tissue reactions were evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry for γ-H2AX, and tissue concentrations of pirfenidone, doxycycline, and lomefloxacin were measured by tandem mass spectrometry. Read More

Eur J Rheumatol 2017 Jun 11;4(2):87-92. Epub 2017 Apr 11.

Division of Rheumatology Department of Internal Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may affect a number of systems, with the hematological system being one of the most common. Our aim is to determine the existence of cytopenia at diagnosis or during follow-up of our SLE patients as well as the associated factors.

Material And Methods: A cohort of SLE patients that had been followed-up in the Department of Rheumotology from 1998 to 2015 was retrospectively assessed. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2017 Jul 26;42(5):590-592. Epub 2017 May 26.

Department of Dermatology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital (AMNCH), Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland.

Indian J Med Res 2016 Dec;144(6):803-806

Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Drug-induced photosensitivity reactions are significant adverse effects. Ketoprofen is one of the most common drugs that can cause skin rash in sun-exposed areas. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ketoprofen, are often used for a variety of symptoms, including pain and fever. Read More

Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2017 Dec 27;36(4):307-316. Epub 2017 Apr 27.

a Department of Dermatology and Allergology , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.

Important changes in the understanding and management of drug hypersensitivity reactions during the last years result from the increasing importance of biologics in medical practice, which differ in their spectrum of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from the classical covalent drugs. With regard to covalent drugs, ampicillin and amoxicillin as well as clavulanic acid play an increasing role among ADRs to betalactam antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones are mainly the cause of anaphylactic and photosensitivity reactions. Read More

Lupus Sci Med 2017 13;4(1):e000207. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a well-defined subtype of lupus erythematosus, characterised by photosensitivity, annular and/or psoriasiform lesions, variable systemic involvement and presence of circulating SSA/anti-Ro antibodies. SCLE may be idiopathic or drug-induced. Both the idiopathic and drug-induced forms of SCLE are analogous in their clinical, serological and histological features. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2016 Nov - Dec;34(6):724-735. Epub 2016 Jul 12.

University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Farmington, CT.

Photodermatoses are a group of skin disorders caused by abnormal reaction to ultraviolet radiation. Photodermatoses are divided into four groups: (1) immunologically mediated photodermatoses; (2) chemical- and drug-induced photodermatoses; (3) photoaggravated dermatoses; and (4) hereditary photodermatoses. This contribution discusses differences in the approach and diagnosis of pediatric and adult patients with suspected photodermatoses, focusing on immunologically mediated photodermatoses and chemical- and drug-induced photodermatoses. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2016 Sep-Oct;34(5):571-81. Epub 2016 May 20.

Department of Dermatovenereology, Hospital Distrital de Santarém EPE, Santarém, Portugal.

Drug-induced photosensitivity refers to the development of cutaneous disease due to the interaction between a given chemical agent and sunlight. Photosensitivity reactions can be classified as phototoxic or photoallergic. Sometimes, there is an overlap between these two patterns, making their distinction particularly difficult for the clinician. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2017 Apr 28;176(4):902-909. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2PY, U.K.

Drug-induced photosensitivity occurs when a drug is capable of absorbing radiation from the sun (usually ultraviolet A) leading to chemical reactions that cause cellular damage (phototoxicity) or, more rarely, form photoallergens (photoallergy). The manifestation varies considerably in presentation and severity from mild pain to severe blistering. Despite screening strategies and guidelines in place to predict photoreactive drugs during development there are still new drugs coming onto the market that cause photosensitivity. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2016 Feb 17;22(2). Epub 2016 Feb 17.

First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu.

Photodermatoses are a group of skin conditions associated with an abnormal reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are several of the photosensitive rashes which mainly affect the UV exposed areas of the skin. It can be classified into four groups: immunology mediated photodermatoses, chemical and drug induced photosensitivity, photoaggravated dermatoses, and genetic disorders. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2016 Apr;24(1):73-7

Ewelina Bogumiła Zuba, MD, Medical University of Poznan, 49 Przybyszewskiego St, 60-355 Poznan, Poland;

Dear Editor, Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a well-known physical hazard responsible for photoaging, photoallergic, and phototoxic reactions as well as carcinogenesis, including life-threatening melanomas (1,2). Overexposure to both natural and artificial UV radiation is a public health concern. 30% of cancers diagnosed worldwide are skin cancers. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2016 Apr;24(1):55-64

Ewelina Bogumiła Zuba MD, Medical University of Poznan, 49 Przybyszewskiego St, 60-355 Poznan, Poland;

Ultraviolet radiation is considered the main environmental physical hazard to the skin. It is responsible for photoaging, sunburns, carcinogenesis, and photodermatoses, including drug-induced photosensitivity. Drug-induced photosensitivity is an abnormal skin reaction either to sunlight or to artificial light. Read More

Oman Med J 2016 Jan;31(1):65-8

Department of Dermatology, Al Nahdha Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Onycholysis is the detachment of the nail plate from the nail bed. If drug-induced, it can be an isolated phenomenon, but it may also accompany or follow a cutaneous phototoxicity reaction due to drug intake and exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. Photo-onycholysis is a rare photosensitivity reaction due to exposure to either a natural or artificial source of light. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2016 ;22(7):768-82

"GALLY" International Biomedical Research Consulting LLC, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.

Drug-induced photosensitivity of the skin is drawing increasing attention. In past few decades, photosensitivity has been reported with an array of drugs, and is now recognized as a noteworthy medical problem by clinicians, regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical industry. The photosensitivity is of two types i. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2016 May 28;32(3):161-4. Epub 2015 Dec 28.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Related, Faculty of Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.

BMC Ophthalmol 2015 Oct 29;15:148. Epub 2015 Oct 29.

Department of Ophthalmology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University, 892, Dongnam-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, 05278, Korea.

Background: We present a rare case of secondary angle closure glaucoma due to systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy as initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus, accompanied by central nervous system vasculitis and uncontrolled nephropathy.

Case Presentation: A 31-year-old woman presented with decreased visual acuity, nausea, vomiting, fever, and bilateral angioedema-like eyelid swelling. She had persistent dry cough while taking medication for 3 months, and had usual posterior neck pain, which was treated with analgesic medication and Asian medicines. Read More

Med Mal Infect 2015 Sep 1;45(9):348-73. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

CIRI Inserm U1111, maladies infectieuses et tropicales, université Claude-Bernard-Lyon 1, UFR Lyon Sud-Charles-Mérieux, GHN HCL, 69500 Lyon, France. Electronic address:

An Bras Dermatol 2015 May-Jun;90(3 Suppl 1):121-4

University of Taubaté, Taubaté, SP, BR.

TNF alpha antagonist-induced lupus-like syndrome is a rare condition which predominantly affects women (4:1). The average age of onset is 46-51 years. It occurs after exposure to TNF alpha antagonist and disappears after discontinuation of such agents. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2015 Jun;150(3):327-9

Unit of Dermatology, NESMOS Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sant'Andrea" Hospital "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy -

Pseudoporphyria refers to a rare bullous dermatosis characterized by the clinical and histological features of porfiria cutanea tarda without abnormalities in porphyrin metabolism. The pathogenesis is heterogeneous and several exogenous factors may promote the bullous lesion formation, including medications, end stage renal disease, dialysis and tanning beds. Regarding treatment of this condition, in literature different therapy have been reported, such as glutathione and his precursor N-acetylcysteine, which presents anti-oxidant properties; however even more toxic drugs, such as chloroquine, are used. Read More

Prescrire Int 2014 Jul;23(151):180-2

Nail disorders are defined according to their appearance and the part of the nail affected: the nail plate, the tissues that support or hold the nail plate in place, or the lunula. The consequences of most nail disorders are purely cosmetic. Other disorders, such as ingrown nails, inflammation, erythema, abscesses or tumours, cause functional impairment or pain. Read More

Dermatol Clin 2014 Jul;32(3):363-8, ix

Photobiology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.

Drug-induced photosensitivity is common. The principal mechanism of systemic drug photosensitivity is phototoxicity and the principal mechanism of topical drug photosensitivity is photoallergy. Photopatch testing is helpful to determine suspected topical agent photoallergies (eg, from ultraviolet filters in sunscreens) but generally not helpful in detecting systemic drug photosensitivity. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2014 Apr;149(2):207-18

Department of Dermatology Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII Bergamo, Italy -

Cutaneous reactions represent in many surveillance systems, the most frequent adverse events attributable to drugs. The spectrum of clinical manifestations is wide and virtually encompasses any known dermatological disease. The introduction of biological agents and so-called targeted therapies has further enlarged the number of reaction patterns especially linked with cytokine release or in balance. Read More

Autoimmune Dis 2014 6;2014:321359. Epub 2014 Feb 6.

Di.S.Sal, Section of Dermatology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria San Martino-IST, 16132 Genoa, Italy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the aberrant production of a broad and heterogenous group of autoantibodies. Even though the presence of autoantibodies in SLE has been known, for more than 60 years, still nowadays a great effort is being made to understand the pathogenetic, diagnostic, and prognostic meaning of such autoantibodies. Antibodies to ds-DNA are useful for the diagnosis of SLE, to monitor the disease activity, and correlate with renal and central nervous involvements. Read More

J Dermatol 2014 Sep 12;41(9):817-20. Epub 2014 Mar 12.

Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Vemurafenib is a targeted therapy that has become standard treatment for patients with advanced melanoma with a V600E BRAF mutation. It has been associated with frequent skin toxicity, including photosensitivity, rash and squamous cell carcinomas. We present an 83-year-old woman with an advanced V600E BRAF-mutant melanoma who developed a severe skin rash and fatigue after taking vemurafenib. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Saf 2014 Mar;13(3):321-40

New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Dermatology , New York, NY 10021 , USA

Introduction: Photoallergic and phototoxic medications continue to be an important concern for dermatologists. In the last 5 years, the list of phototoxic and photoallergic medications has expanded, as well as the testing tools used to screen for potential allergy. Currently available testing methods include the photoprick, photoscratch and illuminated intracutaneous tests. Read More

Curr Drug Saf 2014 ;9(2):89-105

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal.

In the last decade, several third and fourth generation fluoroquinolones (FQs) have been approved for clinical use. These new agents exhibit a more potent and broader-spectrum antibacterial activity and improved pharmacokinetic properties in comparison to the earlier FQs. Although new FQs are generally safe and well tolerated, moderate-to-severe toxicity events have been reported for some of them, leading to their restriction, suspension or even withdrawal from the market. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2013 Nov 15;19(11):20396. Epub 2013 Nov 15.

University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Drug-induced erythema in the distribution of prior sunburn is called photo recall. Although more commonly induced by chemotherapeutics, it has also been associated with antibiotics such as ampicillin, cephalosporin, and gentamicin. Vancomycin has not been previously reported as a causal agent. Read More

Clin Dermatol 2014 Jan-Feb;32(1):73-9

Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, İstanbul University, Fatih, İstanbul, 34098 Turkey. Electronic address:

Photodermatoses are caused by an abnormal reaction mainly to the ultraviolet component of sunlight. Photodermatoses can be broadly classified into four groups: immunologically mediated photodermatoses, chemical- and drug-induced photosensitivity, photoaggravated dermatoses, and DNA repair-deficiency photodermatoses. In this review, we focus mainly on chemical- and drug-induced photosensitivity, namely, phototoxicity and photoallergy. Read More

Tunis Med 2013 Aug-Sep;91(8-9):514-20

Background: Few prospective studies are available on the incidence and analysis of the characteristics of adverse cutaneous drug reactions.

Aim: To describe the adverse cutaneous reactions, their epidemiologic characteristics as well as the different causative drugs through a prospective hospital study.

Methods: A 12-month prospective study was managed in our department of dermatology of the teaching hospital Hedi Chaker of Sfax. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2013 Oct;52(10):1177-84

Unit of Dermatology, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human B-lymphotropic herpes virus and one of the most common viruses in humans. Specific skin signs related to EBV infection are the exanthem of mononucleosis, which is observed more frequently after ingestion of amoxicillin, and oral hairy leukoplakia, a disease occurring mostly in immunocompromised subjects with HIV infection. Other more uncommon cutaneous disorders that have been associated with EBV infection include virus-related exanthems or diseases such as Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, erythema multiforme, and acute genital ulcers. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2014 May 8;105(4):359-66. Epub 2013 May 8.

Departamento de Dermatología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Facultad de Medicina, Santiago de Compostela, España.

Thiazides are widely used diuretics that first became available in the 1950s. The first reports of photosensitivity reactions to thiazides were published shortly after the introduction of these drugs, but few cases have been described since. We review all the cases of photosensitivity due to thiazides published up to December 2011. Read More

Exp Dermatol 2013 Apr;22(4):297-8

Vemurafenib is a new-targeted therapy approved for the treatment of patients with V600E BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma. Among the cutaneous adverse events reported, the photosensitivity is frequently experienced. We aimed to characterize more deeply the mechanism leading to this photosensitivity as well as the corresponding UV spectrum. Read More

J Travel Med 2013 Mar-Apr;20(2):108-18. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Program in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.

Background: Although there have been recent advances in the development of photoprotective clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreens, few peer-reviewed publications have focused on photoprotection recommendations for travelers.

Methods: In order to describe the adverse health effects of excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposures; review recent studies of public perceptions regarding photoprotection and sun exposure behaviors; identify special populations at increased risks of drug-induced photosensitivity reactions and UV-induced skin cancers; and recommend several effective photoprotection strategies for travelers, Internet search engines were queried with the key words as search terms to examine the latest references on photoprotection and the epidemiology of UV-associated skin cancers.

Results: Observational studies have demonstrated that the public knows little about proper sunscreen protection, selection, and use, and often abuses sunscreens for intentional UV overexposures. Read More