Can prescriptions cause sunburn?
Some drugs and chemicals CAN induce photosensitivity reactions in people who ingest the agents or use them topically and then expose their skin to sunlight. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor about possible reactions to the sun for a new prescription, and use a sunscreen that absorbs both UVA and UVB. But watch out — there are sunscreen products containing ingredients that themselves may cause photosensitivity in some people! Sunscreens containing bergamot oil, sandalwood oil, benzophenones, PABA, cinnamates, salicylates, anthranilates, PSBA, mexenone, and oxybenzone can all cause reactions. Titanium dioxide is the least likely sunscreen to cause a reaction. For more information, contact Danial Baker, professor of pharmacy and director of the Drug Information Center at WSU Spokane, 509/358-7660, bakerdan@wsu.edu. Opportunities in math: A summer mathematics program hosted by Washington State University is designed to help correct a national shortage of applied mathematicians. The
