Home About Writers Categories Recent Issues Subscribe Contact File Transfer





Glen Mathis
Glen Mathis has been the co-owner of Mathis Drug Store in Girard since 1983. For more information or to reach Glen, please call 620-724-4313.
Health & Medicine
2011-05-01 11:25:00
Medications and the sun
Answer: It’s that time of year, weather is nice and people are outside. A small percentage of people taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs find that their skin becomes oversensitive to the sun. They can get serious skin damage including sunburn, blisters, rashes or swelling when out in the sun. Some of the medications which may set off these reactions include antibiotics (tetracycline and sulfa drugs), diuretics (water pills), anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-diabetic preparations and some acne drugs containing vitamin A or its derivatives. When a medication has been prescribed, check the common side effects with your doctor. For over-the-counter preparations talk with your family Pharmacists ask questions that you would like answered. Sunblock vs. Sunscreen Sunblock’s (physical sunscreens) are opaque formulations which absorb, reflect and scatter up to 99% of both UV and visible light. Because they are messy and may stain clothing, sunblock’s are often used on such sun-sensitive areas as the nose, lips, ears and shoulders. Examples of ingredients in sunblock’s are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sunscreens (chemical sunscreens) absorb specific wavelengths and are classified as drugs by the FDA because they are “intended to protect the structure and function of the human integument against actinic damage.” Sunscreens are considered more cosmetically refined due to their pleasing consistency and are, therefore, typically used over a prolonged time for effective photoprotection. For best sun protection, a UVA and UVB-protective sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher should be applied to clean, dry skin 30 to 60 minutes before exposure to UV-rays. We also ask what is SPF? Sun protection factor. This is a scale for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products. The higher the SPF, the more sunburn protection it gives. Sunscreens with an SPF value of 2 through 11 give minimal protection against sunburns. Sunscreens with an SPF of 12 through 29 give moderate protection. Those with an SPF of 30 or higher give high protection against sunburn. Sunscreen should be reapplied every one to three hours and after swimming or excessive sweating; however, reapplication does not extend the time of protection. Be cautious when taking medicines with side effects regarding the sun. Talk to your family Pharmacist and know what to be aware of to prevent any harm while in the sun.
 
The Q & A Times Journal accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Thank you.
 
Wildcard SSL Certificates