How to Test for Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity or sun allergy occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to light causing complex medical issues. Medications, specific foods, genetic predisposition, disease, even stress can cause a person to be hypersensitive to light. There are three major types of photosensitivity---solar urticaria, chemical photosensitivity, and polymorphous light eruption---and each type displays unique characteristics.

Instructions

• 1

  Bare an arm to the elbow.

• 2

  Place the arm in the sunlight for an extended period of time. Document your start time and end time. Document any bodily responses during the test that might aid in a final diagnosis.

• 3

  Remove your arm from sunlight once you have a reaction. Document the findings with notes including the size of the affected area, the shape and size of the patches or rash, color, and the like. Note as well if you are in any pain.

• 4

  Take photographs of the affected area to aid in a diagnosis.

• 5

  Consult a doctor.