When your skin reacts badly to sunlight after taking a medication, you might be experiencing a phototoxic reaction, a type of skin injury caused by the interaction of certain drugs and ultraviolet (UV) light. Also known as drug-induced photosensitivity, it’s not an allergy—it’s a chemical burn triggered by light. Unlike sunburn, which affects exposed skin evenly, a phototoxic reaction often shows up sharply where the drug has collected in your skin—like the neckline, back of the hands, or areas where you wore thin clothing. It can happen after just minutes in the sun, even on cloudy days.
Many common medications can cause this. Tetracycline antibiotics, a class of drugs used for acne, respiratory infections, and Lyme disease are classic culprits. So are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, often taken for pain or inflammation. Even some diuretics, used for high blood pressure or swelling, and certain antidepressants, including some SSRIs, can trigger it. The reaction happens because these drugs absorb UV light, then release energy that damages nearby skin cells. It’s not rare—studies show up to 1 in 10 people on long-term tetracycline will get it.
What does it look like? Think severe sunburn—but faster. Redness, swelling, blistering, and peeling can show up within hours. Sometimes it feels like a bad burn, other times it’s just a rash that won’t go away. The worst part? It can leave dark spots that last months. And it doesn’t matter if you’re tan or pale—if you’re on the wrong drug and you’re outside, you’re at risk.
You don’t need to avoid the sun forever. But if you’re on any medication, check the label or ask your pharmacist: "Can this make my skin more sensitive to sunlight?" Simple steps help—wear wide-brimmed hats, use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily (even in winter), and avoid direct sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you notice redness or burning after being outside, stop using the medication and call your doctor. Don’t wait for it to get worse.
The posts below cover real cases and practical advice from people who’ve dealt with this. You’ll find guides on which drugs are most likely to cause it, how to tell the difference between a phototoxic reaction and an allergic one, and what to do if you’ve already been burned by the sun while on meds. No fluff. Just what works.
