Photoallergic and phototoxic eczema

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Published: Jun 30, 2009
Keywords:
photoallergy, phototoxicity, photoallergic contact dermatitis, photoallergic systemic contact dermatitis, phototoxic contact dermatitis, phototoxic systemic dermatitis, diagnostics, photopatch test

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Radosław Śpiewak
Instytut Dermatologii sp. z o.o.

Abstract

Photoallergic and phototoxic eczema (dermatitis) are classified as exogenous dermatoses, which mean that beside a specific environmental factor (a sensitizer), also the influence of irradiation (ultraviolet light in most cases) is necessary to evoke the symptoms. Therefore, the skin changes are most pronounced on uncovered sites. Numerous drugs may have photosensitising properties, including those intended for longterm therapy (analgesics, antidiabetics, circulation, and neurologic drugs, etc.). For people travelling to the tropics, photosensitising potential of widely-used prophylactic drugs (e.g. antimalarials, antibiotics) may pose a problem. Also, topical drugs and cosmetics, especially perfumes, may be responsible for the development of phototoxic and photoallergic eczema. Paradoxically, active ingredients of sunscreen cosmetics (UV filters) frequently cause photoallergy. The method for the identification of the responsible sensitizer is photopatch test – a modification of patch test, in which additional irradiation of the patch tested skin is done with a minute doses, typically, 5 J/cm2 UVA.


 

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How to Cite
Śpiewak , R. (2009). Photoallergic and phototoxic eczema. Alergoprofil, 5(2), 2-7. Retrieved from https://journalsmededu.pl/index.php/alergoprofil/article/view/127
Issue
Vol 5 No 2 (2009)
Section
Article

Copyright: © Medical Education sp. z o.o. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.

Address reprint requests to: Medical Education, Marcin Kuźma (marcin.kuzma@mededu.pl)

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