Photosensitivity in atopic dermatitis: demonstration of abnormal response to UVB.
It is a well-known fact among clinicians that sunlight may exacerbate atopic dermatitis (AD), but little is known beyond that. In a preliminary study investigating this phenomenon, 19 patients with AD were selected for phototests. All of them had a normal minimal erythema dose (MED). However, 3 patients (15.7%) demonstrated abnormal cutaneous responses 24-72 h after provocation with ultraviolet light B (UVB). None of the patients had a positive response to pure ultraviolet light A (UVA) irradiation of up to 9 J/cm2. The photobiological results of this study confirm the existence of photosensitivity in AD and indicate that UVB wavelengths are responsible for it.
Keong
C H
CH
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Kurumaji
Y
Y
Miyamoto
C
C
Fukuro
S
S
Kondo
S
S
Nishioka
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012882:Skin Tests; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*