Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Fototoxicidad
Phototoxicity (FOH-toh-tok-SIH-sih-tee)
A condition in which the skin or eyes become very sensitive to sunlight or other forms of light. It can be caused by taking certain drugs, or rubbing certain essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants) or other topical agents into the skin. Phototoxicity causes sunburn, blisters, and other skin problems.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.