Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Photosensitivity Disorders
Number of Conditions: 3
Polymorphic Light Eruption
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions
Sub-category: Photosensitivity Disorders
Symptoms:
itchy red papules, plaques, or blisters; occurs hours to days after sun exposure; commonly affects arms, chest, and face
Root Cause:
Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to UV radiation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history; phototesting in uncertain cases.
Treatment:
Sun protection, topical corticosteroids for acute flares.
Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone ). Antimalarials (e.g., hydroxychloroquine ) – for severe cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 10–20% of people, more common in women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
UV exposure, genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good; symptoms improve with sun protection.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent lesions with repeated exposure
Chronic Actinic Dermatitis
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions
Sub-category: Photosensitivity Disorders
Symptoms:
eczema-like rash; thickened, scaly skin in sun-exposed areas; severe itching
Root Cause:
Chronic hypersensitivity reaction to sunlight.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, phototesting, and patch testing.
Treatment:
Strict sun protection, topical and systemic immunosuppressants.
Medications:
Topical corticosteroids. Oral immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, chronic sun exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; requires lifelong management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Skin thickening; Infections
Porphyrias
Specialty: Dermatology
Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions
Sub-category: Photosensitivity Disorders
Symptoms:
blisters on sun-exposed areas; fragile skin; hyperpigmentation; facial hair growth
Root Cause:
Enzyme defects in heme biosynthesis leading to porphyrin accumulation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urine porphyrin levels, genetic testing.
Treatment:
Sun protection, avoidance of triggers, and medications to reduce porphyrins.
Medications:
Hydroxychloroquine – for porphyrin clearance. Beta-carotene – to reduce photosensitivity.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic inheritance, liver disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with strict management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic skin damage; Liver disease