Polymorphous light eruption
| Polymorphous light eruption | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Polymorphic light eruption |
| PLE at V-neck/front of chest | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Itchy red small bumps on sun-exposed skin, particularly face, neck, forearms and legs |
| Usual onset | Shortly after sun exposure in people younger than age 30-years |
| Duration | Several days with annual recurrence |
| Causes | Incompletely understood |
| Prevention |
|
| Treatment |
|
| Medication | |
| Frequency | Yearly (spring/summer), females>males |
Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) presents with itchy red small bumps on sun-exposed skin, particularly face, neck, forearms and legs. It generally appears 30 minutes to a few hours after sun exposure and may last between one and 14 days. The bumps may become small blisters or plaques and may appear bloody,often healing with minimal scarring.
It is a non-life-threatening and potentially distressing skin condition that is triggered by sunlight and artificial UV exposure in a genetically susceptible person, particularly in temperate climates during the spring and early summer. Due to its many clinical appearances, it is named polymorphic or polymorphous and the terms are used interchangeably. The resulting itch can cause significant suffering.
PLE is also defined as an idiopathic primary photodermatosis, in which the photosensitizer is unknown.
Treatments include prevention with sun avoidance and supervised light therapy, and symptom control with topical steroids.