Heliophobia
4829543
213571897
2008-05-19T22:31:10Z
Mikkalai
28438
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/71.100.101.139|71.100.101.139]] ([[User talk:71.100.101.139|talk]]) to last version by Mikkalai
{{refimprove|date=June 2006}}
'''Heliophobia''' has two meanings:
* a [[specific phobia]]: dread or avoidance of [[sunlight]]
* excessive sensitivity to sunlight.
==Causes==
Heliophobia is a problem that afflicts hundreds of Americans, but one that suffers from a lack of true research. The Pacific Health Center suggested that many people have been staying away from the sun because of growing fears about [[skin cancer]]. This is not technically heliophobia, simply an unfounded and illogical solution.
Medical conditions such as [[keratoconus]], which is an eye disorder that results in [[photophobia|extreme optic sensitivity]] to sunlight and bright lights, and [[porphyria cutanea tarda]], which causes the skin to be overly sensitive to sunlight to the point of causing blisters, can result in heliophobia.
Since heliophobia forces its victims indoors, heliophobia causes a [[Vitamin D]] deficiency problem. This can be corrected by taking Vitamin D supplements or drinking Vitamin D fortified milk.
==Hypersensitivity==
In [[chemistry]] or [[biology]] the terms '''heliophobic/heliophobe''' refers to an organism or substance that is sunlight-sensitive or has an aversion to sunlight.
Heliophobous [[plant]]s are commonly known as "shade-tolerant".
==In culture==
Heliophobia was considered a "telltale sign" of [[vampire]]s.
There was a short-lived magazine ''Heliophobe'' (3 issues, 1994-1996), described as "a not-so-sexual fetish magazine exclusively devoted to pale-skinned women". <ref>[http://www.heliophobe.com/ ''Heliophobe'' magazine webpage]</ref>
''Heliophobe'' is a 1997 album by a German [[rock band]] [[Scumbucket]] <ref>[http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/scumbucket/heliophobe/ Scumbucket albums] </ref>
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Phobias]]