Photosensitivity dermatitis is a common ailment in the summer, with a higher incidence among women. The symptoms of plant-induced photosensitivity dermatitis are mostly similar to general photosensitivity dermatitis, but a small number of individuals may experience more severe reactions, with general discomfort, and may even exhibit severe reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. The onset of this disease is not only related to plants and excessive sun exposure but is also linked to an individual's constitution.
It is worth noting that many plants containing photosensitive substances are vegetables that we commonly consume, such as celery, lettuce, rapeseed, spinach, amaranth, bok choy, milk vetch, lamb's quarters, mustard, Malan head, shepherd's purse, radish leaves, purslane, red clover, and figs. Additionally, Chinese herbal medicines such as Angelica pubescens, Agrimonia pilosa, Angelica dahurica, Psoralea corylifolia, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Dictamnus dasycarpus, and Foeniculum vulgare also contain these substances. Therefore, after consuming the aforementioned vegetables or taking Chinese herbal medicine, it is best to avoid excessive sun exposure. At a minimum, one should wait for two to three days for the body to metabolize the photosensitive substances to prevent a skin photosensitivity reaction.