Shedding Light on Chronic Actinic Dermatitis

With proper diagnosis, the news for your patients is probably good.

Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is an uncommon photodermatosis in which an eczematous eruption develops, primarily in sun-exposed areas of skin. The disease can be incapacitating, because it is provoked by less than even a few minutes of ultraviolet light exposure. Some, but not all, patients have positive photopatch test reactions; however, even in those with positive tests, the dermatitis will recur with ultraviolet light exposure despite avoidance of the responsible photoallergen. Because of its rarity, little is known about the natural history of CAD. These authors evaluated medical records and conducted phone interviews with CAD patients diagnosed and followed at one U.S. institution from 1993 to 2009.

Of 20 patients, 7 achieved comple…

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)