Phototherapy in the Evaluation and Management of Photodermatoses

Angela J Jiang; Henry W Lim

doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.08.007

Phototherapy in the Evaluation and Management of Photodermatoses

Dermatol Clin. 2020 Jan;38(1):71-77. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.08.007. Epub 2019 Oct 18.

Authors

Angela J Jiang¹, Henry W Lim²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, 3031 West Grand Boulevard, Suite 800, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health System, 3031 West Grand Boulevard, Suite 800, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. Electronic address: hlim1@hfhs.org.

PMID: 31753194
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2019.08.007

Abstract

Ultraviolet light (UV) and visible light are important components in the diagnosis of photodermatoses, and UV has the unique ability to also be used to manage photodermatoses. Phototesting, provocative light testing, and photopatch testing can provide important information in diagnosing patients with photodermatoses; phototesting can be used to determine the starting dose for phototherapy in these patients. Once photosensitivity is established, narrowband UVB and UVA1 therapy have helped to improve the quality of life of photosensitive patients, such as those with polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria.

Keywords: Actinic prurigo; Chronic actinic dermatitis; Erythropoietic porphyria; Photodermatoses; Phototesting; Phototherapy; Polymorphous light eruption; Solar urticaria.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Disease Management*
Humans
Photosensitivity Disorders / diagnosis
Photosensitivity Disorders / therapy*
Phototherapy / methods*
Skin Tests / methods
Urticaria / prevention & control*