Feeling the Burn

An interaction between light ’s radiation and certain exogenous and endogenous substances can lead to the development of photoallergic and/or phototoxic dermatoses. Clinically, reactions may range from acute and self-limited to chronic and recurrent. Delays in diagnosis are not uncommon due to complex clinical presentations, broad differentials, and limited number of specialists who perform phototesting. Therefore, a critical understanding of these dermatoses is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. The epidemiology, light sources, mechanisms, clinical presentations, evaluation protocols, common c ulprits, treatments, key challenges, and future directions related to photoallergy and phototoxicity are reviewed herein.
Source: Dermatologic Clinics - Category: Dermatology Authors: Source Type: research