Light Bulbs, Sunshine and Eczema

Fluorescent and Energy-Saving Light Sensitivity

I don’t normally work inside office buildings anymore; but, over the years, when I was inside office and school buildings, I noticed I didn’t like the way fluorescent light made my skin look (it brought out the red).  Back then, I wasn’t sure if it just made it look more noticeably red or if it was actually worsening the eczema. Recently I had a rare occasion to spend some time in an office that was limited to fluorescent lighting and again suspected that it had a negative impact on my skin.  So, I came home, researched it and this time I did find research proving that fluroscent lights and the new go-green energy saving lights can worsen some forms of eczema and dermatitis, see:

• Low-energy Bulbs Worsen Rashes
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs Linked with Eczema, Seizures, Migraines, Skin Rashes

Nocturnal exposure to light in the short wavelength ranges (below 530 nm) generated by some fluorescent lamps may interfere with mammalian circadian rhythms due to its suppressing effect on melatonin production.

• Melatonin and Melanocyte Functions
  
  

Sunshine and Eczema
Increases in Sebum Production

• Control of sebaceous gland function in the rat by melanocyte-stimulating hormone
• Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
• melanocyte-stimulating hormone, tanning skin and anti-inflammatory effects
• Effects of UV irradiation on the sebaceous gland and sebum secretion in hamsters
• UV irradiation of skin can lead to increased lipid levels in the stratum corneum and this has been associated with improved barrier performance
• See why sunshine collected in summer can make you happier in winter