Natural treatments for photosensitivity
Natural treatments for photosensitivity focus on alleviating the condition in which individuals experience heightened skin reactions to sunlight, often leading to sunburn or rashes. A key proposed natural treatment is beta-carotene, a pigment found in colorful fruits and vegetables, known for its potential to convert to vitamin A in the body and possibly mitigate skin damage caused by sunlight. While some studies suggest that beta-carotene may help those with particular types of photosensitivity, the evidence remains mixed, with conflicting results across trials.
Other natural substances proposed for managing photosensitivity include antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and compounds derived from foods such as chocolate and green tea. Some individuals have reported improvements with supplements like adenosine monophosphate and various B vitamins, although many of these findings arise from small or uncontrolled studies, necessitating further research.
It is important to approach certain herbs and supplements with caution, as some, such as St. John’s wort, can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals. Additionally, other common plants may cause photosensitivity, highlighting the need for careful selection of dietary and topical treatments. Overall, while there are various natural remedies that may benefit individuals with photosensitivity, consulting healthcare professionals is advisable to determine the most appropriate and safe options.
Natural treatments for photosensitivity
DEFINITION: Treatment of the condition in which a person sunburns easily or develops certain skin reactions to sunlight.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Beta-carotene
OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Adenosine monophosphate, chocolate, coriander oil, epigallocatechin gallate (from green tea), nicotinamide, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, fish oil, vitamin B3, Rhodiola rosea, Huangqi
HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO USE ONLY WITH CAUTION: Artichoke, celery, chrysanthemum, dandelion, dill, endive, essential oils, fennel, fig, lettuce, lime, marigold, parsley, parsnip, St. John’s wort, sunflower
Introduction
All human skin is subject to sunburn if exposed to enough ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources. Some people burn particularly easily or develop exaggerated skin reactions to sunlight. This condition is called photosensitivity. Sometimes, photosensitivity is caused by antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines, radiation therapy, some chemicals or plant products, lupus, xeroderma pigmentosum, and some forms of porphyria—a group of usually hereditary metabolic disorders. In another condition called polymorphous light eruptions (PLEs), dramatic rashes can develop after limited sun exposure. Most instances of photosensitivity caused by medications or plant products are temporary, but in some cases, they can be permanent.
The most important step toward treating photosensitivity is to identify whether an external substance is causing the reaction and eliminate it if possible. Antibiotics are among the most common photosensitizing drugs. Many other natural substances can also cause this reaction. Another practical step is to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and stay out of the sun. Some types of photosensitivity may respond to specific treatments such as oral beta-carotene, steroids, or other medications.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Beta-carotene, a carotenoid plant pigment that gives color to carrots and yams and converts to vitamin A (retinol) in the body, may benefit at least two kinds of photosensitivity: PLEs and photosensitivity caused by certain types of porphyria. Beta-carotene is the best-studied supplement for photosensitivity, although less than ten studies on it have been placebo-controlled, and these had conflicting results. According to one theory, beta-carotene prevents skin damage by neutralizing free radicals and harmful chemicals created in the skin by the action of radiation. While this has shown promise in some patients, if the source of photosensitivity is not unmitigated oxidative stress in the skin, it is unlikely to provide any benefit.
One characteristic of beta-carotene is that it gives a deep yellow color to human skin when taken in high doses for several months. Because supplementation must continue for some time to see results, this side effect makes it difficult to conduct a truly double-blind study in which neither researchers nor the participants know who is taking the active compound and who is taking the placebo. Once the skin begins to turn yellow. However, those affected are likely to figure out what they are taking, which may affect the study outcome. Therefore, even the results of placebo-controlled studies of beta-carotene are open to question.
Three controlled trials of beta-carotene for polymorphous light eruptions found mixed results. A ten-week study of fifty people with PLE who were given beta-carotene plus canthaxanthin (another carotene) or the placebo found evidence of significant benefit. However, in two other controlled trials of beta-carotene alone, lasting twelve to fifteen weeks (the number of participants was not reported), modest benefits were seen in one study and no benefits in the other. In a preliminary double-blind study, coriander oil applied topically was more beneficial than a placebo cream.
Many uncontrolled studies have reported that beta-carotene extends the time people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) can safely spend in the sun. However, studies that lack a control group, as these did, are notorious for producing over-optimistic results; an eleven-month controlled trial found no benefit. A few case reports suggest beta-carotene may also be helpful in another kind of porphyria called porphyria cutanea tarda. Many studies suggest that rather than supplements, beta-carotene and other antioxidants are most effective when consumed in foods like fruits and vegetables. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables provides between six and eight milligrams of beta-carotene. However, citrus fruit may worsen photosensitivity in some individuals, so the choice of beta-carotene sources must be considered carefully. Most people benefit from eating carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and spinach while avoiding limes, lemons, and mangos.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Many studies suggest various antioxidant substances, including chocolate, vitamin C, lycopene, mixed carotenoids, flavonol-enriched green tea extracts, vitamin E, and zeaxanthin taken orally or used topically, may help prevent sunburn in people without photosensitivity.
On this basis, a variety of antioxidants have been tried for photosensitivity. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of twelve people with EPP, one gram (g) of oral vitamin C taken daily appeared to help reduce symptoms. However, the study was too small for the results to be statistically significant.
A small, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of persons with PLE found no benefit with combined vitamin C (three g per day) and vitamin E (1,500 international units per day). In an uncontrolled study of adenosine monophosphate in twenty-one people with porphyria cutanea tarda, many participants showed decreased photosensitivity, much to the surprise of the investigator.
Two cases of EPP were also reportedly improved by vitamin B6. In addition, nicotinamide, another B vitamin, was found to help prevent polymorphous light eruptions in an uncontrolled (and, therefore, highly unreliable) study of forty-two people. Other studies have indicated that fish oil and other omega-3 food sources, fermented Rhodiola rosea,Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), and vitamin B3 may improve symptoms of photosensitivity. However, further study is required to confirm these findings.
Herbs and Supplements to Use with Caution
Many common herbs and plant products are known to provoke extreme reactions to sunlight in some people. One of the best-known products is the herb St. John’s wort, which has caused fatal photosensitivity reactions in cattle that grazed on it. In one study of highly sun-sensitive people, double doses of the herb produced mild increases in reaction to ultraviolet radiation. There is also one report of a severe skin reaction in a person who used St. John’s wort and then received ultraviolet therapy for psoriasis. In addition, topical St. John’s wort caused severe sunburn in one person. For this reason, photosensitive people should probably avoid St. John’s wort.
Photosensitivity can also result from touching or eating other plants, including celery, dill, fennel, fig, lime, parsley, parsnip, Arnica, artichoke, chrysanthemum, dandelion, lettuce, endive, marigold, buckwheat, and sunflower. Most people do not react to these plants. Plant essential oils may be more problematic than the whole plant itself.
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