Before commencing treatment for photodermatosis, it is important for your dermatologist to diagnose any predisposing conditions that may be contributing towards the light and sun sensitivity of the skin.

Predisposing Conditions

Sun sensitivity of the skin is present in conditions such as:

Polymorphic Light Eruptions

This is a form of dermatosis of the skin that affects more women than men. Lesions of papules, plaques and vesicles are usually present on the sun exposed areas of the skin. These lesions appear to be more common in the spring and summer seasons and occurs approximately 24 hours after the skin has been exposed to the strong sunlight.

Light and sun sensitivity of the skin, also known as photodermatosis, is the skin’s reaction to sunlight and primarily affects areas that are exposed to the sun. Usually it is seen as the formation of blisters (vesicles), reddish appearance of the skin and papules (little ‘bumps’ on the skin).

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight can causes degeneration of the elastic fibres of the dermis (deeper layers of the skin) and thickening of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin. This thickening of the epidermis is usually caused by an increase rate of cell division due to heat and light.