I sat outside in the spring sunshine for 45 minutes and now I have a rash

☀️ Why the Rash Happened

Voriconazole is well known to cause photosensitivity reactions — even in mild sunlight and after short exposure. This happens because:

• The drug causes phototoxicity, meaning it reacts with UV-A and UV-B rays, damaging the skin directly.

• These reactions can be immediate (sunburn-like rash, redness, stinging) or delayed (itchy, scaly rash days later).

• It happens even in places with relatively low sun exposure — like Scotland/Northern Ireland/Northern England.

🔍 What the Rash Looks Like

Typical features of voriconazole-induced photosensitivity:

• Redness, itching, or stinging in sun-exposed areas (hands, arms, neck, face)

• Often clearly demarcated where clothes stop

• May blister or peel in more severe cases

• Can evolve into chronic skin damage with repeated exposure

✅ What to Do Now

1. Get out of the sun and monitor the rash

• Stay in the shade or indoors while the rash settles.

• Avoid more sun over the next few days.

2. Soothing relief

• Apply a cool compress or unscented moisturiser (e.g. E45, Cetraben).

• A mild topical steroid (like hydrocortisone 1%) may help if the rash is itchy — ask your GP or pharmacist.

• Antihistamines (e.g. loratadine or cetirizine) can reduce itching.

3. Contact your GP or specialist

• Let them know this happened — even if it settles.

• It may influence whether you continue voriconazole or switch to another antifungal (like posaconazole, which has less photosensitivity risk).

☂️ How to Protect Yourself in Future

If you stay on voriconazole:

• Always wear long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors — even in cloudy weather.

• Use a high-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+) with UVA and UVB protection — but apply 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours.

• Avoid sun between 11am–3pm if possible.

• Some people need to avoid sunlight through windows or in cars, especially on longer journeys.

🚨 When to Seek Urgent Help

Call your GP or 111 if:

• The rash is blistering, painful, or spreading

• You feel unwell (e.g. fever, chills)

• You develop ulcers or notice skin peeling

You’re definitely not alone — this is a very common side effect of voriconazole.