It looks like reddened skin with raised red spots or small blisters. Direct immunofluorescence testing is negative. Schweintzger N, Gruber-Wackernagel A, Reginato E, Bambach I, Quehenberger F, Byrne SN, Wolf P. Br J Dermatol. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Exp Dermatol. 2014;32(3):315-viii. Polymorphous light eruption is a common photosensitive reaction to UV and sometimes visible light. 1989;120(2):173183. DermNet does not provide an online consultation service. Doctors think it is a type of delayed allergic reaction. It is also known as polymorphous light eruption, sun allergy, sun poisoning, prurigo aestivalis, summer eruption/prurigo, or eczema solare. You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. PLE is considered as a delayed hypersensitivity response to newly UV induced, but still unidentified, antigen(s). However, it may be genetic. (2019). Dermatoses resulting from physical factors", "Photodermatoses: diagnosis and treatment", "Polymorphous light eruption - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice", "Polymorphic light eruption | DermNet New Zealand", "CD 11b + cells markedly express the itch cytokine interleukin31 in polymorphic light eruption", "Polymorphic Light Eruption. Broad spectrum sunscreens and antioxidants, photohardening with PUVA or narrow band UVB may be beneficial to prevent the disease. Whether administration of estrogen in the form of oral contraceptives or postmenopausal replacement therapy might induce high ANA levels in a healthy individual cannot be ascertained from our data. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and T regulatory cells predominate. J Am Acad Dermatol. http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens#.UbdQaJzm9lP. Polymorphic light eruption. A positive family history in some patients suggests a genetic risk factor. Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is an allergic reaction to sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light. Itchy, non-scarring lesions of distinct morphology are typical on sun-exposed body parts. Before The condition is more frequent in females and begins often in young adults and in mid-adult life. An examination of the skin to detect the rash is made, however, up to 40% have false negative responses. It is more common in patients who receive only intermittent sun exposure and typically consists of crops of papules, vesicles or plaques. Topics AZ American Melanoma Foundation. It occurs most often on areas of skin that haven't seen the sun for a while - it is more common on the arms and the . Describe the pathophysiology of polymorphic light eruption. Dermatol Clin. In: Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. Wolf P, Gruber-Wackernagel A, Bambach I, et al. A PLE rash can look similar to other skin rashes, so it is important to get a diagnosis from a doctor. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal However, positive antinuclear antibody and extractable nuclear antigen (anti-Ro/La) in low titer may be detected, even in the absence of other criteria to suggest a diagnosis of lupus erythematosus.