photosensitivity
/'foutou,sensi'tiviti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Sensitivity to light or radiant energy: The condition of being abnormally or excessively sensitive to light, especially sunlight or other forms of radiant energy. This can be a symptom of various medical conditions or a side effect of certain medications.
Usage
- General Use: The term is primarily used in medical, biological, and technical contexts to describe an adverse physical reaction to light.
- Contexts: Commonly found in discussions about skin conditions, eye disorders, drug side effects, and material science (e.g., light-sensitive chemicals).
Examples
- Noun:
- The patient's photosensitivity required them to wear protective clothing and sunscreen outdoors.
- This medication may cause photosensitivity, increasing the risk of sunburn.
- The study measured the photosensitivity of the new photographic film.
Advanced Usage
- "Drug-induced photosensitivity": A common type where certain medications make the skin more reactive to sunlight.
- The antibiotic can lead to drug-induced photosensitivity.
- "Cutaneous photosensitivity": Specifically refers to skin sensitivity to light.
- The disease is characterized by severe cutaneous photosensitivity.
Variants and Related Words
- Photosensitive (adjective): Having sensitivity to light.
- She has photosensitive skin.
- A photosensitive cell in the retina.
- Photosensitization (noun): The process of making something sensitive to light.
- Photosensitization is a key step in photodynamic therapy.
Synonyms
- Light sensitivity: A more general, often interchangeable term.
- Photophobia: Specifically refers to sensitivity of the eyes to light, often causing discomfort or pain.
- Sun sensitivity: A less technical term focusing on reaction to sunlight.
Related Phrases
- Photosensitivity reaction: The specific adverse event triggered by light exposure.
- He experienced a severe photosensitivity reaction after starting the new pills.
- Photosensitivity disorder: A medical condition where photosensitivity is a primary symptom.
- Porphyria is a known photosensitivity disorder.
Notes
- Distinction: While often used interchangeably with "photophobia," is a broader term that can refer to skin or systemic reactions, whereas specifically relates to eye discomfort.
- Cause and Effect: Photosensitivity is not a disease itself but a symptom or reaction, indicating an underlying issue such as an autoimmune disease, infection, or medication side effect.
Noun
- sensitivity to the action of radiant energy