Medications and Treatment
The side effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis medications as a result of sun exposure is called Photosensitivity. This makes a person sensitive to sunlight and can cause sunburn. It occurs in two major forms. Either photoallergic [2] or phototoxic. The phototoxicity reaction occurs when an individual takes a higher dose of the medication which increases the risk of sunburn. It is usually the most common one. Also, it appears bad to burn some hours after exposure to the sun.
For photoallergic reactions, this is less common while the rash or bun appears more often after sun exposure. Therefore, it is necessary to take note of these reactions while taking medications. A number of medications which can cause either photoallergic or phototoxicity includes methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, tetracyclines, dapsone, leflunomide, ibuprofen, azathioprine and hydrochlorothiazide.
In some cases, you may need another drug to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis if the skin irritation persists. If you’re not sure whether your medications can cause photosensitivity, ask your doctor or pharmacist.