Recently, our customers have asked us important questions regarding the potential effects of medications on nail health, particularly as it relates to UV exposure. We understand the importance of this topic and are here to shed light on how certain medications can affect the sensitivity of your nails to UV radiation.
The use of drugs that increase sensitivity to UV radiation can cause harmful skin reactions when using UV nail lamps.
Understanding drug-induced photosensitivity in nail health
Although the nail plate itself is not adversely affected, the skin may become more susceptible to burns while using these drugs and treatments. This is called “photosensitivity” and can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Drug-induced photosensitivity: oral and topical medications
This can occur with drugs taken orally or topically applied. The best-known example is the antibiotic tetracycline, but there are dozens of drugs that can cause this type of hypersensitivity.
The skin usually responds within a few minutes, but the reaction may be delayed for several hours. This reaction often manifests as excessive redness and swelling, and blisters may form. The skin may become very itchy. Reactions are not necessarily limited to the exposed site; adjacent unexposed skin may also be affected.
Protective measures and medical advice to minimize exposure to UV radiation
Wearing sunscreen or covering your hands with cloth or UV-protective gloves can minimize exposure. However, it is always best to ask the prescribing doctor for advice regarding medication. In such cases, doctors will likely advise patients to skip such services until they have finished taking their medication. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
