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]]