Photopatch testing (PPT), simply stated, is patch testing with the addition of UV radiation to induce formation of the photoallergen. Application of allergens and scoring criteria are the same as those described for plain patch testing (see Chap. 3). The only additional equipment that is necessary is an appropriate light source and opaque shielding for the period after removal of the patch test material before readings [1].
PPT is intended to detect the responsible photoallergen(s) in two clinical situations, namely photoallergic contact dermatitis and photoallergic drug eruptions. Nevertheless, these two conditions cannot always be easily diagnosed from other dermatoses, induced and/or worsened by exposure to light, that is, chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), polymorphic light eruption (PLE) and other variants of photosensitivity. Therefore, some authors recommend that all photosensitive patients should be photopatch tested [1]. Photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) can in fact be superimposed on PLE.
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Lachapelle, J.M., Goossens, A. (2009). Photopatch Testing. In: Patch Testing and Prick Testing. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92806-5_5
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