Polymorphous light eruption - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Polymorphous light eruption typically onsets during adolescence and young adulthood.
Mainly affects women.
Typically, manifests after exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation (UVR); clinical symptoms last several days and remission occurs without complication.
Papules/papulovesicles and plaques on exposed sites are characteristic.
Topical corticosteroid creams or lotions are the mainstay of therapy, with the addition of oral corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in severe disease.

Small papular type of PLE with densely aggregated pinpoint size papules on the face

Image provided by Dr Hadshiew; used with permission

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Small papular type of PLE with densely aggregated pinpoint size papules on the face
Typical presentation of extensive plaque-type PLE on the chest
Papular-vesicular type on the commonly affected V-neck area
Pronounced bullous PLE after photoprovocation (3 x 100 J/cm^2 UV-A)
Photoallergic dermatitis after administration of a new diuretic
Phototoxic dermatitis after application of a new perfume
Severe chronic actinic dermatitis
Typical butterfly (or malar) rash in lupus erythematosus

Citations

Key Articles

Burfield L, Rutter KJ, Thompson B, et al. Systematic review of the prevalence and incidence of the photodermatoses with meta-analysis of the prevalence of polymorphic light eruption. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 Mar;37(3):511-20.[Abstract][Full Text]
Ling TC, Dawe RS, Gardener E, et al. Interventions for polymorphic light eruption. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Oct 9;2017(10):CD005069.[Full Text]
Goulden V, Ling TC, Babakinejad P, et al. British Association of Dermatologists and British Photodermatology Group guidelines for narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy 2022. Br J Dermatol. 2022 Sep;187(3):295-308.[Full Text]

Other Online Resources

British Association of Dermatologists: polymorphic light eruption
British Skin Foundation: polymorphic light eruption (PLE)

Referenced Articles

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