Solar urticaria

Luke M. Webb, Cecilia P. Mikita

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A case of solar urticaria is presented, followed by a discussion of the clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of this disease. Special emphasis is given to clinical pearls and pitfalls for the practicing allergist. Solar urticaria is a physical urticaria that can be difficult to diagnose and distinguish from other photodermatoses. There are some characteristic features that are important to remember when evaluating a patient with suspected solar urticaria. Testing can be difficult without the assistance of an experienced dermatologist because there are several different wavelengths of light that can lead to a patient's symptoms. Solar urticaria tends to be a chronic disease with a low 5-year resolution rate but can usually be effectively managed with multiple antihistamines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)563-565
Number of pages3
JournalAllergy and Asthma Proceedings
Volume30
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2009

Keywords

  • Chromophore
  • Dermatographism
  • Erythrocytic protoporphyria
  • Minimal urticarial dose
  • Photodermatoses
  • Phototherapy
  • Physical urticaria
  • Polymorphic light eruption
  • Solar urticaria

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