Demographics of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis Have Changed

The conventional wisdom that this photosensitivity occurs almost entirely in older, dark-skinned men no longer holds true.

Chronic actinic dermatitis is a rare, prolonged, and often severe photosensitive dermatitis comprising three distinct subtypes: persistent light reactivity, photosensitive eczema, and actinic reticuloid. Higher frequency has been noted in older individuals and in those with sun-reactive Fitzpatrick skin types V or VI. Photopatch testing may or may not be positive, and many patients have a history of allergic contact dermatitis or chronic eczema. These authors conducted a retrospective chart review from 1993 to 2009 at one U.S. academic medical center to determine whether patient characteristics have changed.

They identified 40 patients diagnosed with chronic actinic dermatitis, implying that the disease is now occurring more frequently. Olde…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)