Sunlight exposure can play a significant role in various skin conditions, either causing them or exacerbating existing issues. Some of these conditions include:
- Sunburn: This is the most immediate and acute effect of excessive sun exposure, where the skin becomes red, painful, and inflamed.
- Photoaging: Chronic sun exposure leads to photoaging, characterized by wrinkles, sunspots (also known as liver spots or solar lentigines), and leathery skin texture. This is due to the breakdown of collagen and changes in the skin’s elastin.
- Actinic Keratosis: These are rough, scaly patches on the skin, considered precancerous, and are caused by long-term exposure to sunlight.
- Skin Cancer: Prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of various types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to cancerous changes.
- Photosensitivity Reactions: Certain medications, chemicals, and medical conditions can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to exaggerated sunburns, rashes, or other skin reactions when exposed to the sun.
- Solar Urticaria: This is a rare condition where exposure to sunlight causes hives or a rash on the skin.
- Melasma: Sun exposure can trigger or worsen melasma, characterized by brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face.
- Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE): This is a rash caused by sun exposure in people who have developed sensitivity to sunlight. It’s more common in spring and early summer when the skin is not yet accustomed to the sun.
- Lupus Erythematosus: For people with lupus, sun exposure can cause a flare-up of symptoms, including skin lesions and a worsening of internal symptoms.
- Rosacea: Sun exposure can exacerbate rosacea, a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness and sometimes pimples.
- Herpes Simplex: Sunlight can trigger recurrences of herpes simplex virus (cold sores).
- Actinic Prurigo: Itchy rash cased by sunlight
- Porphyria: Deficiencies in haem production that make patients very sensitive to sunlight