Photodermatitis is an abnormal skin reaction to sunlight, or more specifically to ultraviolet rays. It can be acute or chronic. Common symptoms include a rash, blisters, or scaly patches on the exposed area of the skin; hyper-pigmentation; pain, redness, and swelling; chills, headache, fever and nausea; and in the long run, thickening and scarring of the skin, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Photodermatitis can be caused by certain diseases such as lupus or eczema; genetic or metabolic factors; and reactions to chemicals and medications.
Treatment of photodermatitis is aimed at prevention and treatment of the rash on the skin. Medicines like Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Gandhak-Rasayan, Arogya-Vardhini, Chandanadi-Vati, Chandrakala-Ras, Sutshekhar-Ras, Usheerasav and Kamdudha-Ras are used to treat the skin rash. Herbal medicines like Triphala (Three fruits), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Chandan (Santalum album), Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) can also be used for this purpose. Local applications on the skin include medicines like Mahanarayan oil, Chandan-Bala-Laxadi oil, Yashtimadhuk-Ghrut, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut and Shata-Dhout-Ghrut. An ointment containing Manjishtha, Saariva, Chandan, Usheer, Haridra, Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra) and Mandukparni (Centella asiatica) can also be used for this purpose. These medicines help to reduce redness, inflammation and swelling in the skin. They gradually reduce hyper-pigmentation, desensitize the skin and prevent long-term complications like thickening, scarring, and a predisposition to skin cancer.
In addition, other medicines like Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Suvarna-Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Panchamrut-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati are used on a long-term basis to reduce the allergic and immune based reaction of the skin when exposed to sunlight. This treats the basic cause of the disease and can hence bring about a complete remission or cure.
Common measures to help prevent photodermatitis include limiting skin exposure to sun, using sunscreens, using protective clothing and refraining from the use of tanning devices and offending medications or other products.