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Common skin conditions
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What is the name for the skin condition?
Phototoxic reaction
What medications may be responsible?
Photosensitivity reactions may be a predictable 'phototoxic' reaction to a prescribed medication, in this case doxycycline. Other causes include diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, tetracyclines and amiodarone
What management would you recommend?
The risk of this arising depends on ultraviolet radiation exposure, the dose of medication and unpredictable individual factors. Patients on potentially phototoxic medications should be advised to limit sun exposure and to dress up when outdoors. Sunscreens do not always prevent the reactions, which may be induced by long wave ultraviolet A and may arise in winter as well as summer.