Polymorphous light eruption

Infobox_Disease
Name = PAGENAME


Caption =
DiseasesDB = 10327
ICD10 = ICD10|L|56|4|l|55
ICD9 = ICD9|692.72
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus =
eMedicineSubj = derm
eMedicineTopic = 342
MeshID =

Polymorphous light eruption (PLE), or polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), is a skin condition caused by sunlight.

Presentation

Symptoms include skin irritations, which may be itchy or painful, and are sometimes confused with hives. In severe cases the sufferer may also suffer from dizziness and even lose consciousness. These irritations appear upon exposure to sunlight—sometimes only hours after exposurecite journal |author=Schornagel IJ, Sigurdsson V, Nijhuis EH, Bruijnzeel-Koomen CA, Knol EF |title=Decreased neutrophil skin infiltration after UVB exposure in patients with polymorphous light eruption |journal=J. Invest. Dermatol. |volume=123 |issue=1 |pages=202–6 |year=2004 |month=July |pmid=15191561 |doi=10.1111/j.0022-202X.2004.22734.x |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-202X.2004.22734.x] —and may last from 1 to 7 days.

Known cases

One case of PLE was diagnosed by Professor Hawk, of Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital, in which a young mother was left housebound. Her case was far more severe than those of typical sufferers.

Epidemiology

The cases of this condition are most common between the spring and autumn months in the northern hemisphere.

Typically, 10-20% of the population are affected.Fact|date=January 2008 It is more common in females than in males. The condition can affect all ethnic groups and research suggests that 20% of patients have a family history of the complaint.Fact|date=January 2008 Those suffering from PLE usually do so by age 30.

Causes and prevention

It has been noted that PMLE is caused by an immune reaction to a compound in the skin which is altered by exposure to ultraviolet light. It can be provoked by UVA or UVB rays.

The cause of PLE is not yet understood. It is thought to be due to a type IV delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.

One may also purchase clothing that has been tested for its protective qualities.

Some progression to autoimmune disease has been observed.cite journal |author=Hasan T, Ranki A, Jansen CT, Karvonen J |title=Disease associations in polymorphous light eruption. A long-term follow-up study of 94 patients |journal=Arch Dermatol |volume=134 |issue=9 |pages=1081–5 |year=1998 |month=September |pmid=9762018 |doi= |url=http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9762018]

Prognosis

Generally, PLE resolves without treatment; also, PLE irritations generally leave no scar.

Experimental treatments

As of 2008 a company in Australia named Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited is performing clinical trials with a melanocyte-stimulating hormone named melanotan (known by the International Nonproprietary Name "afamelanotide", formerly CUV1647)Cite web|url=http://www.clinuvel.com/resources/pdf/asx_announcements/2008/20080617WHOGenericName.pdf|title=World Health Organisation assigns CUV1647 generic name|accessdate=2008-06-17|publisher=Clinuvel|year=2008|format=PDF] for polymorphous light eruption. [http://www.clinuvel.com/en/faqs/ Clinuvel » Investors » FAQs ] ]

References

External links

*
* [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polymorphous-light-eruption/DS00911 www.mayoclinic.com]
* [http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic342.htm www.emedicine.com]
* [http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lighteruption.htm www.netdoctor.co.uk]
* [http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter101.asp www.dermadoctor.com]
* [http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/pmle.html]