Actinic prurigo

Actinic Prurigo is a rare inflammatory skin disease characterized by sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light.

History

Actinic prurigo (AP) was first described by Escalona in Mexico, in 1954.

Causes

The cause for actinic prurigo is unknown, although current research suggests that it is an autoimmune disease, possibly mediated by abnormal immunological reactions of skin following exposure to UV light (both UVA and UVB light).

ymptoms

AP is characterized by itchy, inflamed papules, nodules, and plaques on the skin. Lesions typically appear hours or days after exposure of the skin to UV light, and follow a general pattern of sun-exposed areas. The face, neck, arms, hands, and legs are often affected, although lesions sometimes appear on skin that is covered by clothing and thus not exposed to UV light, thus making AP somewhat difficult to diagnose.

AP is a chronic disease, and symptoms usually worsen in the spring and summer as the day lengthens and exposure to sunlight increases.

Treatment

Currently there is no cure for actinic prurigo, and treatment focuses on relieving the dermatologic symptoms, by way of topical steroid creams or systemic immunosuppressants.

Prescribed treatments include:
* topical creams such as Tacrolimus and Betamethasone.
* systemic immunosuppressants such as Prednisone.
* In some cases, Thalidomide has proven to be effective in controlling the symptoms of actinic prurigo.

All patients with AP are encouraged to minimize sun exposure, and to use strong sunscreen throughout the year, and even on cloudy or overcast days, as UVA light, unlike UVB light, is able to penetrate cloud cover and remains constant throughout the day.

External links

* http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/actinic-prurigo.html
* http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic927.htm
* http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2157125