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Photodermatitis, Sports Medicine

Jayson Loeffert, DO, Daniel Schlegel, MD, MHA and Matthew L. Silvis, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • Photodermatitis is an abnormal skin reaction to light or ultraviolet (UV) rays.

  • The reaction may be acute or chronic, allergy mediated, or irritative and often is associated with substances or c...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • History of previous sun or UV light exposure

  • Exposure to, or ingestion of, the many sun-sensitizing agents

  • Family history of similar disorders

  • Type of sunscreen and how the sunscreen has...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Avoid sunlight/limit exposure.

  • Protective clothing/sunscreens

  • Ice packs/cold water compresses

MEDICATION

  • Drugs of choice for phototoxic and photoallergic reactions 1,2,3:

    • NSAIDs, ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Avoid sunlight. 

Patient Monitoring

Monitor as necessary for persistence or recurrence. 

DIET

No special diet 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Avoidance of sunlight

  • Avoidance of photo...

REFERENCES

1
Faurschou A, Wulf HC. Topical corticosteroids in the treatment of acute sunburn: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Arch Dermatol.  2008;144(5):620–624.
2
Martina E, Rosa L, Pos...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Fitzpatrick TB, Johnson RA, Polano MK, et al. Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology: Common and Serious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1992:210–213.

  • McKee ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Use sunscreens that block UVA and UVB rays.

  • Consider phototoxic, photoallergic, or polymorphous light eruption as a diagnosis for any rash in sun-exposed areas.

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