Polymorphous light eruption

Polymorphous light eruption
Other namesPolymorphic light eruption[1]
PLE at V-neck/front of chest[2]
SpecialtyDermatology Edit this on Wikidata
SymptomsItchy red small bumps on sun-exposed skin, particularly face, neck, forearms and legs[1]
Usual onsetShortly after sun exposure in people younger than age 30-years[3]
DurationSeveral days with annual recurrence[3]
CausesIncompletely understood
Prevention
  • Sun protection (SPF 50+)[3]
  • Cover up with densely woven clothing[2]
Treatment
  • Gradual sun exposure (hardening)[2]
Medication
FrequencyYearly (spring/summer), females>males[3]

Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) presents with itchy red small bumps on sun-exposed skin, particularly face, neck, forearms and legs.[1] It generally appears 30 minutes to a few hours after sun exposure and may last between one and 14 days.[3] The bumps may become small blisters or plaques and may appear bloody,[3]often healing with minimal scarring.[3]

It is a non-life-threatening and potentially distressing[4] skin condition that is triggered by sunlight and artificial UV exposure[5] in a genetically susceptible person,[6] particularly in temperate climates during the spring and early summer.[2] Due to its many clinical appearances, it is named polymorphic or polymorphous and the terms are used interchangeably.[7] The resulting itch can cause significant suffering.[4][8]

PLE is also defined as an idiopathic primary photodermatosis,[9] in which the photosensitizer is unknown.[4]

Treatments include prevention with sun avoidance and supervised light therapy, and symptom control with topical steroids.[4]

  1. ^ a b c James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "3. Dermatoses resulting from physical factors". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
  2. ^ a b c d Oakley AM, Ramsey ML (1 October 2017). "Polymorphic Light Eruption". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 28613636.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Ferguson, John S. (2019). "6. Skin and photosensitivity". In Morris-Jones, Rachael (ed.). ABC of Dermatology (7th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell. pp. 43–49. ISBN 978-1-119-48899-6.
  4. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference :Lehmann was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ George A (2017). "Chapter 37: Polymorphic Light Eruption". In Vasudevan B (ed.). Clinical Correlation with Diagnostic Implications in Dermatology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd. p. 172. ISBN 978-93-86322-66-1.
  6. ^ Hogan S, Zahiri S, Hardman K. "Polymorphous light eruption - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice". bestpractice.bmj.com. ISSN 2515-9615. Retrieved 4 June 2018.(subscription required)
  7. ^ "Polymorphic light eruption | DermNet New Zealand". www.dermnetnz.org. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  8. ^ Patra, V.; Strobl, J.; Gruber‐Wackernagel, A.; Vieyra‐Garcia, P.; Stary, G.; Wolf, P. (2019). "CD 11b + cells markedly express the itch cytokine interleukin‐31 in polymorphic light eruption". British Journal of Dermatology. 181 (5): 1079–1081. doi:10.1111/bjd.18092. PMC 6899657. PMID 31049931.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Patient was invoked but never defined (see the help page).