title: Chronic actinic dermatitis occurring in an adult with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is a photosensitivity disorder that is characterized by a persistent eczematous eruption in sun-exposed sites. The hallmark of CAD is a reduced minimal erythema dose (MED) to ultraviolet B (UVB), ultraviolet A (UVA), and/or to visible light, which makes phototesting the essential diagnostic investigation. The uncommon subgroup of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) that are affected by CAD has primarily been described in young patients in the United Kingdom. We present an atopic adult women with CAD who was diagnosed years after symptoms began. We believe it is important that dermatologists perform phototests on AD patients with features of a photoaggravated dermatitis in order to avoid delay in diagnosis of a true photosensitivity condition and provide appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: New York University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Quatrano
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shvartsbeyn
authors.forename: Shane A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Meehan
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Soter
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*