Photodermatology

Question 1

what is photo dermatology?

Answer 1

study of non-ionising radiation on the skin

Question 2

UVA & UVB can be _____ hence carcinogenic

Answer 2

mutagenic

Question 3

is UVA or UVB more dangerous for skin cancer?

Answer 3

UVA as less is absorbed by ozone layer

Question 4

what is porphyria?

Answer 4

group of inherited blood disorders that have inability to produce haem resulting in overproduction of the intermediate compound- porphyrins

Question 5

there are 4 types of photosensitive porphyrias- what are these?

Answer 5

phototoxic skin porphyria
blistering and fragility porphyria
acute attack porphyria
severe congenital porphyria (erythropoietic)

Question 6

phototoxic skin porphyria (aka porphyria cutanea tarda) is the most common type, what are its etiological features?

Answer 6

alcohol, genetic, liver pathology- hepC, haemochromatosis

Question 7

s/s of phototoxic skin porphyria

Answer 7

blistering, hyper pigmentation, solar urticaria

Question 8

dx of phototoxic skin porphyria

Answer 8

woods lamp, spectrophotometry w fluorescence

bloods- inc porphyrins

Question 9

s/s of erythropoietic protoporphyria

Answer 9

irritation and burning in skin, non-blistering on exposure to sun

Question 10

mx for all porphyrins

Answer 10

supportive- avoid sun, counselling, check ups

Question 11

acute intermittent porphyria?

Answer 11

neurovisceral pattern- psychosis, anxiety etc