Medication Side-Effects: Heat and Sun Sensitivity – Advice for Archaeological Practitioners

The FAME Health and Safety Working Group creates Health and Safety Guides, to provide detailed practical advice to our members and for the archaeological sector. This guide focuses on medication side affects in relation to heat and sun sensitivity.

“Some medications can make it harder for people to regulate their body temperature and thus increase the risk of overheating. Additionally, some medications can cause photosensitivity, also known as ‘sun allergy’, a condition where the skin becomes extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light. Photosensitivity makes it easier to get sunburned and/or to develop heat rashes. While a rarer side-effect of medications, photosensitivity and overheating occurs often enough to be listed as a potential side effect of many medications…

For archaeologists, there is an elevated risk of these adverse reactions given the nature of some of our work – outdoors and in the sun during hot weather. However, heat sensitivity is still a concern for those working indoors in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as many buildings do not have climate controls. Moreover, certain clothing and intense physical work can lead to overheating even in cold weather.”

This guide provides more information on these issues and preventive measures.

You can download the guide below. They rarely change but occasional updates do occur and it is best to check this page for the most recent version.

The guide has been updated to version 2. July 2024.