Photodermatosis (solar allergy) is a pathological skin reaction that occurs in response to the action of sunlight. Allergy to sunlight is manifested by typical symptoms of allergoses: puffiness and hyperemia of the skin, characteristic rashes – urticaria, blisters. The rash may be accompanied by itching or pain.
Fodoredmatosis is also called photodermatitis, a skin disease that occurs in response to exposure to ultraviolet rays, as well as visible sunlight, on the skin.
Photodermatosis itself is an acute disease, however, it often turns into a chronic form, periodically relapsing. Moreover, a minor inflammatory process can turn into a more serious disease – eczema.
The development of photodermatosis itself is preceded by photosensitization – the accumulation of active substances (antigens) that are produced in response to each penetration of aggressive agents (ultraviolet) into the human skin.
CAUSES OF PHOTODERMATOSIS
The main reason for the development of photodermatoses is not in the sun’s rays themselves, but in factors that increase the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light. These factors are specific substances – photosensitizers, which cause an increase in sensitivity.
As a result of the activity of photosensitizers and ultraviolet radiation, new specific substances are formed, which are regarded by the body as foreign, and, consequently, the body begins to fight them (allergic type of reaction).
Photosensitizers can be divided into two large groups – external and internal. External substances include the following substances that can get on the skin: medicines, cosmetics containing benzocaine, benzophenones, household chemicals. Internal photosensitizers can be various diseases – hepatitis. Kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, obesity and others.
Special attention should be paid to some plants, the juice of which, when it gets on the skin, becomes phototoxic and even in healthy skin can cause severe photodermatosis. Such plants include – hogweed, wood angelica and others.
SYMPTOMS OF PHOTODERMATOSIS
Since the main cause of the disease is sunlight, the disease has a tendency to seasonality. Most rarely, the disease worsens in winter, the main trend is the spring-summer period.
The disease begins acutely. As a rule, the onset of the disease is preceded by a stay in direct sunlight, a trip to the solarium. After some time after the action of ultraviolet light, characteristic hyperemic spots appear on the skin, resembling a burn of the 1st degree. Redness is accompanied by itching, burning, sometimes even pain. After a while, an urticaria rash appears on the inflamed areas of the skin – urticaria. Urticaria is often accompanied by the appearance on the skin of puzzies filled with serous contents, as well as plaques and papules.
In severe cases, urticaria spreads to areas of the skin that have been protected from ultraviolet radiation, as well as to the mucous membranes – cheilitis, conjunctivitis develops.
TREATMENT OF PHOTODERMATOSIS
At the first signs of allergy to the sun, you should immediately consult a doctor. The dermatologist should conduct a survey and examination of the patient. Next, it is necessary to determine the type of photosensitizer – using application samples and exposure to ultraviolet light. This study should be carried out only in the treatment room, where anti-shock styling must be present.
To determine endogenous photosensitizers, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study of the body – clinical blood and urine tests, biochemical blood analysis, detection of chronic and infectious diseases.
