European Society of Contact Dermatitis, ESCD, Institute of Dermatology, instytut dermatologii, congress, Derk P. Bruynzeel, James Ferguson, Alastair Kerr, Cezary Kowalewski, Percy Lehmann, Joanna Narbutt, Radoslaw Spiewak, meeting, symposium, course, photobiology photodamage of the skin, skin barrier and the UV, sunscreens and skin protection, common and rare photodermatoses, photoallergy, phototherapy, diagnosis and treatment of photodermatoses, quality of life in photodermatoses, patient education  and public health issues related to photodermatoses, photopatch test, patch test, photoallergy, photocontact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sun allergy, dermatology, allergology, skin diseases, allergy, conference, course, workshop, Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Poland, Europe, EU, meeting, course, conference, 18 september 2009, 19 september 2009 European Society of Contact Dermatitis, ESCD, Institute of Dermatology, instytut dermatologii, congress, Derk P. Bruynzeel, James Ferguson, Alastair Kerr, Cezary Kowalewski, Percy Lehmann, Joanna Narbutt, Radoslaw Spiewak, meeting, symposium, course, photobiology photodamage of the skin, skin barrier and the UV, sunscreens and skin protection, common and rare photodermatoses, photoallergy, phototherapy, diagnosis and treatment of photodermatoses, quality of life in photodermatoses, patient education  and public health issues related to photodermatoses, photopatch test, patch test, photoallergy, photocontact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sun allergy, dermatology, allergology, skin diseases, allergy, conference, course, workshop, Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Poland, Europe, EU, meeting, course, conference, 18 september 2009, 19 september 2009 European Society of Contact Dermatitis, ESCD, Institute of Dermatology, instytut dermatologii, congress, Derk P. Bruynzeel, James Ferguson, Alastair Kerr, Cezary Kowalewski, Percy Lehmann, Joanna Narbutt, Radoslaw Spiewak, meeting, symposium, course, photobiology photodamage of the skin, skin barrier and the UV, sunscreens and skin protection, common and rare photodermatoses, photoallergy, phototherapy, diagnosis and treatment of photodermatoses, quality of life in photodermatoses, patient education  and public health issues related to photodermatoses, photopatch test, patch test, photoallergy, photocontact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sun allergy, dermatology, allergology, skin diseases, allergy, conference, course, workshop, Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Poland, Europe, EU, meeting, course, conference, 18 september 2009, 19 september 2009

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photopatch.euPhotoallergy Meetingtherapy of photoallergy

Therapeutic options for photoallergy

Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland

In brief, therapy of photoallergic diseases consists of the avoidance of the causative substance and the avoidance of sun exposure. Thus, the first step of therapy of photoallergy consists in an accurate diagnosis by identifying the culprit agent so that it can be avoided. Also, avoidance of sunlight is important, by using sunscreens and /or wearing hat and dress with long sleeves, made of UV-absorbing textiles. If the photoallergic reaction has already occurred, symptomatic treatment using topical steroids or systemic antihistamines can be used. Also topical calcineurin inhibitors (pimecrolimus, tacrolimus) have been used successfully. On the other hand, topical antihistamines should be avoided as they may cause photoallergic reactions themselves. Desensitization is rarely successful but can be tried in some cases of very mandatory drugs.

In chronic photosensitive disorders that may result in actinic dermatitis, therapy becomes more challenging. Here, sometimes immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine A or azathioprine can be tried. There are also reports that UVB or PUVA-therapy might be useful.

Treatment options for solar urticaria include non-sedating antihistamines such as fexofenadine and cetirizine; other options include absorbent sunscreens, restriction of UV radiation at the relevant wavelength, maintenance of the non-responsive state with natural or artificial light exposure and, in very rare cases, plasmapheresis.

References

  1. Gambichler T, Al-Muhammadi R, Boms S. Immunologically mediated photodermatoses: diagnosis and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol 2009; 10: 169-180.
  2. Morison WL. Photosensitivity. N Engl J Med 2004; 350: 1111-1117.
  3. Millard TP, Hawk JL. Photosensitivity disorders: cause, effect and management. Am J Clin Dermatol 2002; 3: 239-246.

photopatch.euPhotoallergy Meetingtherapy of photoallergy

European Society of Contact Dermatitis, ESCD, Institute of Dermatology, instytut dermatologii, congress, Derk P. Bruynzeel, James Ferguson, Alastair Kerr, Cezary Kowalewski, Percy Lehmann, Joanna Narbutt, Radoslaw Spiewak, meeting, symposium, course, photobiology photodamage of the skin, skin barrier and the UV, sunscreens and skin protection, common and rare photodermatoses, photoallergy, phototherapy, diagnosis and treatment of photodermatoses, quality of life in photodermatoses, patient education  and public health issues related to photodermatoses, photopatch test, patch test, photoallergy, photocontact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sun allergy, dermatology, allergology, skin diseases, allergy, conference, course, workshop, Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Poland, Europe, EU, meeting, course, conference, 18 september 2009, 19 september 2009 Krakow (Cracow)

European Society of Contact Dermatitis, ESCD, Institute of Dermatology, instytut dermatologii, congress, Derk P. Bruynzeel, James Ferguson, Alastair Kerr, Cezary Kowalewski, Percy Lehmann, Joanna Narbutt, Radoslaw Spiewak, meeting, symposium, course, photobiology photodamage of the skin, skin barrier and the UV, sunscreens and skin protection, common and rare photodermatoses, photoallergy, phototherapy, diagnosis and treatment of photodermatoses, quality of life in photodermatoses, patient education  and public health issues related to photodermatoses, photopatch test, patch test, photoallergy, photocontact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sun allergy, dermatology, allergology, skin diseases, allergy, conference, course, workshop, Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Poland, Europe, EU, meeting, course, conference, 18 september 2009, 19 september 2009 Krakow (Cracow)

European Society of Contact Dermatitis, ESCD, Institute of Dermatology, instytut dermatologii, congress, Derk P. Bruynzeel, James Ferguson, Alastair Kerr, Cezary Kowalewski, Percy Lehmann, Joanna Narbutt, Radoslaw Spiewak, meeting, symposium, course, photobiology photodamage of the skin, skin barrier and the UV, sunscreens and skin protection, common and rare photodermatoses, photoallergy, phototherapy, diagnosis and treatment of photodermatoses, quality of life in photodermatoses, patient education  and public health issues related to photodermatoses, photopatch test, patch test, photoallergy, photocontact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, contact allergy, sun allergy, dermatology, allergology, skin diseases, allergy, conference, course, workshop, Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Poland, Europe, EU, meeting, course, conference, 18 september 2009, 19 september 2009 Krakow (Cracow)

European Society of Contact Dermatitis

ESCD - GERDA Strasbourg 2010

Institute of Dermatology, Krakow

dermatoses.eu

© Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier (text) and Radoslaw Spiewak (source code).
This page is part of the website photopatch.eu (contact).
Document created: 7 September 2009, last updated: 8 September 2009.