Polymorphous light eruption
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Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) presents with itchy red small bumps on sun-exposed skin, particularly face, neck, forearms and legs.[1] It generally appears 30 minutes to a few hours after sun exposure and may last between one and 14 days.[3] The bumps may become small blisters or plaques and may appear bloody,[3]often healing with minimal scarring.[3]
Polymorphous light eruption | |
---|---|
Other names | Polymorphic light eruption[1] |
PLE at V-neck/front of chest[2] | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Symptoms | Itchy red small bumps on sun-exposed skin, particularly face, neck, forearms and legs[1] |
Usual onset | Shortly after sun exposure in people younger than age 30-years[3] |
Duration | Several days with annual recurrence[3] |
Causes | Incompletely understood |
Prevention | |
Treatment |
|
Medication | |
Frequency | Yearly (spring/summer), females>males[3] |
It is a non-life-threatening and potentially distressing[4] skin condition that is triggered by sunlight and artificial UV exposure[5] in a genetically susceptible person,[6] particularly in temperate climates during the spring and early summer.[2] Due to its many clinical appearances, it is named polymorphic or polymorphous and the terms are used interchangeably.[7] The resulting itch can cause significant suffering.[4][8]
PLE is also defined as an idiopathic primary photodermatosis,[9] in which the photosensitizer is unknown.[4]
Treatments include prevention with sun avoidance and supervised light therapy, and symptom control with topical steroids.[4]