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Mercy dermatologist Dr. Oanh Lauring

Mercy Dermatologist Dr. Oanh Lauring Discusses The Sun's Impact On Health On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"

While having fun in the sun is standard for summer, keep in mind there are certain conditions and medications that can play havoc with your skin.

Kathy Midgett was diagnosed with lupus about 15 years ago, but even before her diagnosis, she didn't feel well.

"My face would be very red, even if it wasn't burned. It was really red. Also, I'd get very tired to the point of being absolutely exhausted," she said.

She also experienced splotchy rashes on her face, arms, legs and chest area.

According to Mercy Medical Center dermatologist Dr. Oanh Lauring, lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes Midgett's body to produce antibodies that attack her skin.

"What the sun does, it triggers that antibody production to increase, and they will flare more with the rashes and the breaking out, as well," Dr. Lauring said.

But the sun causes problems for more than lupus patients. Some people can be allergic to it, something that's known as photo allergy.

"You know how some people are allergic to poison ivy and other people aren't? It's the same with this. You have to have an allergic predisposition first, which is triggered by the sun," Dr. Lauring added.

Common medications can also cause sun sensitivity, such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen and naproxen sodium), certain antibiotics such as tetracycline, statin drugs for cholesterol and certain blood pressure medications that use diuretics.

But whatever the cause, the cure is the same -- protecting your skin with sunscreen and clothing.

"I go to the boardwalk. I'm the only person in my circle who loves to goes to the beach, but I don't go to swim or lay in the sun," Midgett said.

To view Dr. Lauring’s interview online, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/28939600/detail.html