Sunshine and the Skin Flashcards
What happens to the skin upon chornic sun exposure?
It thickens
What is this?
How do you treat it?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/275/458/949/q_image_thumb.png?1556152628)
Solar comedones
Usually due to chronic sun exposure and heavy smoking.
aka: Favre Racouchet syndrome - if skin has a yellow leathery texture.
Treatment:
- Extraction
- Topical retinoid.
What is this?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/275/461/802/q_image_thumb.jpg?1556153417)
Solar Elastosis
Name the main 5 Idiopathic Photosensitivities
- Polymorphic light eruption
- Actinic prurigo
- Hydroa vaccinforme
- Solar urticaria
- Chronic actinic dermatitis
What blood tests should be done when a photosensitivity reaction occurs?
- Lupus Serology (ANA, ENA)
- Porphyrin analysis if relevant.
- HLA class II typping.
- Biochemistry
- Haematinics (B12, Folate, Iron)
What is the most common photosensitivity?
Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE)
What is the treatment for PLE?
1/ Sun avoidance.
2/ Oral prednisolone. (30mg for 1 week)
What is this?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/275/462/855/q_image_thumb.jpg?1556156315)
Acitinic Prurigo
Who gets Acinitic Prurigo?
90% of patients with Acinitic Prurigo have this particularly genetic serotype?
Children aged 3-10 years.
Females>Males
HLA DR4 Sublass II
What is Acitinic Prurigo related to?
What is it often confused with?
it is related to Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE). The relationship with sun exsposure is much less clear than with Acitnic Prurigo.
It is often confused with unresponsive Eczema.
How long does Actinic Prurigo last for?
What is the treatment?
- It lasts for months as an excoriated papular and eczematous reaction on the arms, face and legs. (PLE lasts for days/weeks)
-
Treatment
- Sun avoidance and block.
- Relief: Steroids
- Prevention/Maintenance: Thalidomide.
What is this?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/275/467/855/q_image_thumb.jpg?1556157467)
Hydroa Vacciniforme
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/275/467/855/a_image_thumb.jpg?1556157481)
How does Hydroa Vacciniforme differ from other photosensitivies?
It has distinct histological changes.
- Intraepidermal vesicle formation.
- Focal epidermal keratinocyte necrosis
What is the treatment for Hydroa Vacciniforme?
There is no proven treatment.
What are the investigations for solar urticaria?
- Porphyrins - EPP (Erythropoietic protoporphyria) and PCT (porphyria cutanea tarda) can also present similarly.