chronic actinic dermatitis

Etiology

• photosensitivity: reaction to sunlight or artificial light

Pathology

• patients often have cutaneous hypersensitivity to other environmental exposures (flower, cosmetics)

Management

• avoidance of sunlight
  • patients may be hypersensitive to sunscreen
• topical corticosteroids
• emollients
• immunosuppressives may be considered when more conservative measures fail
  • systemic prednisolone for acute exacerbations
  • azathioprine if systemic treatment is required for more than a few weeks

More general terms

• dermatitis
• chronic disease
• photosensitivity