Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- recurrent history of lesions following ultraviolet radiation exposure
- young women and adolescents
- family history of PLE
- severe itching
- reduced symptoms over the course of a year
- erythematous patches
- papules
- plaques
- vesicles
Risk factors
- ultraviolet A exposure
- oxidative stress/reactive oxygen species
- family history of PLE
- female sex
Diagnostic investigations
Investigations to consider
- phototesting and photoprovocation
- skin biopsy
Treatment algorithm
papular type (typical PLE) and plaque type with few small plaques
plaque type with widespread thick plaques + vesiculobullous variant
Contributors
Authors
Mieran Sethi, MBBS, BSc, MRCP, PhD
Dermatology Registrar
St Mary's Hospital
London
UK
Disclosures
MS has been reimbursed by Vichy and La Roche Posay for presenting video clips and attending conferences about skin disease.
Shirin Zaheri, MBBS, BSc, MRCP
Consultant Dermatologist
Charing Cross/Hammersmith Hospital
Imperial College Hospitals NHS Trust
London
UK
Disclosures
SZ has received honoraria for speaking at, facilitating and/or attending meetings/advisory boards from L'Oreal, AbbVie, and Eli Lilly, and has had expenses sponsored for attending meetings by Leo, Novartis, L'Oreal and Naos.
Acknowledgements
Dr Mieran Sethi and Dr Shirin Zaheri would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Catherine Hardman, Dr Sarah Hogan and Dr Ina Marion Hadshiew, previous contributors to this topic. CH, SH and IMH declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Erhard Holzle, MD
Professor and Chair
Department of Dermatology
Stadtische Kliniken
Oldenburg
Germany
Disclosures
EH declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Photoallergic reaction
- Phototoxic reaction
- Chronic actinic dermatitis
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- British Association of Dermatologists and British Photodermatology Group guidelines for the safe and effective use of psoralen-ultraviolet A therapy 2015
- Sunlight exposure: risks and benefits
More GuidelinesPatient leaflets
Eczema
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