Re: Antibiotics and Sun Sensitivity

May 3, 2002

Hi Adam--Photoderm will cause a short to mid term severe increase in

photosensitivity. They tell you to stay out of the sun for 6 weeks,

but it is my belief the sensitivity lasts longer than that. How far

apart are your treatments? If they are only 3-6 weeks apart, I would

expect this the entire time you are in treatment. I have had some

treatments as far apart as 8 weeks and have noted that my

photosensitivity greatly diminishes by the 8th week and I will expect

an even greater decrease as time goes by. I have completed my first

course (last one about 5 weeks ago) and am interested to see how my

skin fares over the summer.

> I've been on antibiotics for several years, and Minocycline for

> about a year. I understand that sun sensitivity is rare with

> this drug. However, over time I have become more and more

> sensitive to the sun. Now since undergoing Photoderm that has

> gotten alot worse. Whenever I am out in the sun (even for a half

> hour) I get these little red circles on my skin. And being out

> in the sun always makes me flush and makes my skin burn. I only

> have one more photoderm treatment coming up before taking a 3

> month break, and I hope to be off antibiotics by mid-summer, but

> I'm still worried. I just read that " Long term use of oral

> antibiotics is not recommended due to the possible development

> sun sensitivity, development of resistant strains of bacteria,

> and exacerbation of GI related problems " Now I know dont believe

> everything you read, but this seems pretty accurate. Again, I

> know sun sensitivity is rare with Minocycline, but I know I have

> developed terrible sun sensitivity (worsened by Photoderm but

> there before I started). When I go off the Minocycline and am

> done with the Photoderm, will this go away completely? or is it

> possible to perminantly sensitize myself to the sun by doing

> this? (I talked to someone once who was on a medication that

> caused Photosensitivity.. and she fell asleep in the sun for 6

> hours.. and as a result has had a problem with the sun for her

> whole life..)

>

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