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Photodermatitis for the Allergist

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports volume 17, Article number: 36 (2017) Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The photodermatoses represent a group of disorders of sensitivity to light that continue to pose difficulties in diagnosis and management. Photodermatoses are of interest to allergists because many photosensitive skin disorders have immunologic underpinnings, and patients often present to clinic complaining of “allergy” to the sun. We provide a concise reference for allergists on the clinical recognition and management of photodermatitis.

Recent Findings

New developments in the understanding of immunomodulatory effects of light have demonstrated normally immunosuppressive responses in the skin to light exposure, and a blunted immunosuppressive response in the pathogenesis of many photodermatoses. Vitamin D plays an important role in immunomodulation and itself may be affected by photodermatoses due to the impact of photoprotective treatment strategies on circulating vitamin D levels.

Summary

The elucidation of the immunological basis of many photodermatoses may provide guidance for developing new treatment modalities. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal management of vitamin D metabolism in patients with photodermatoses.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Dermatology, Augusta University, 1004 Chafee Ave, FH-100, Augusta, GA, 30904, USA

    Samuel L. Coffin & Jake E. Turrentine

  2. Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9069, USA

    Ponciano D. Cruz Jr.

  3. North Texas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Ponciano D. Cruz Jr.

Authors
  1. Samuel L. Coffin
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  2. Jake E. Turrentine
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  3. Ponciano D. Cruz Jr.
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Correspondence to Jake E. Turrentine.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Allergic Skin Diseases

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Coffin, S.L., Turrentine, J.E. & Cruz, P.D. Photodermatitis for the Allergist. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 17, 36 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-017-0705-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-017-0705-2

Keywords

  • Photodermatoses
  • Photodermatitis
  • Photoimmunosuppression
  • Regulatory T cell
  • Vitamin D
  • Photoprotection