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Photodermatitis

Gabriel Neal, MA, MD, Dennis Garcia-Rhodes, MPH, MD and Kara Hensley, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Light-induced eruptions seen in a pattern of photodistribution exposure

    • Phototoxic reactions: result of an acute toxic effect on skin of ultraviolet (UV) light alone (sunburn) or toge...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Pruritic and often painful rash developing secondary to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation or visible light. May occur within hours to a few days of exposure to sunlight or other ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Appropriate health care: outpatient

  • Avoid sunlight/limit exposure.

  • Protective clothing/sunscreens

  • Ice packs/cold water compresses (1,5)

MEDICATION

Topical corticosteroids (triamc...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Avoid direct sunlight. 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Avoidance of direct sunlight exposure

  • Avoidance of photosensitizing drugs

  • Protective clothing (e.g., hats, long sleeves)

  • Suns...

REFERENCES

1
Hinton AN, Goldminz AM. Feeling the Burn: Phototoxicity and Photoallergy. Dermatol Clin. 2020;38(1):165-175.
2
Guan LL, Lim HW, Mohammad TF. Recognizing photoallergy, phototoxicity, and immu...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

Tokura, Y. Drug photoallergy. J Cutan Immunol Allergy. 2018;1:48–57. doi: 10.1002/cia2.12017.  

CODES

ICD10

  • L56.8 Oth acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

  • L57.8 Oth skin changes due to chr expsr to nonionizing radiation

  • L56.4 Polymorphous light eruption

  • L59.8 Oth disrd of the skin, subcu ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Sunscreen with SPF protection of 30+, should be utilized, covering areas of exposed skin when outdoors, with generous application every two hours for best efficacy. 

  • Sunscreen should al...

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