Hi Joanne,

I have a friend who is allergic to sunlight and reacts like you do. She didn't develop this until she was in her 50s. While this is rare, a more common condition is photosensitivity, which can be caused by a number of different drugs, including the ACE inhibitor lisinopril. You might want to look at side effects for any of your medications and supplements and see if photosensitivity is mentioned. Some ingredients in sunscreens and some perfumes can also cause rash when combined with sunlight.

Both nausea and photosensitivity can occur in Graves' disease although they're more often seen when thyroid hormone levels are high. Some people also become nauseous when they're around air conditioners. Overheating can also cause nausea. I hope you can figure this one out, but you may end up needing to see a dermatologist. Best, Elaine