Actinic prurigo is a chronic photodermatosis with onset in childhood or before 20 years of age. It is most prevalent in Amerindians and Latin American mestizos, although it has been…

Polymorphous light eruption is an immunologically mediated photodermatosis with high prevalence, particularly among young women in temperate climates, characterized by pruritic skin lesions of variable morphology, occurring in spring or…

Photocarcinogenesis is the result of a complex interplay between ultraviolet radiation, DNA damage, mutation formation, DNA repair, apoptosis, and the immune system. Recent trends show an increase in incidence of…

This article discusses photoaging or premature skin aging from chronic ultraviolet exposure. This is an important cosmetic concern for many dermatologic patients. Clinical signs include rhytids, lentigines, mottled hyperpigmentation, loss…

The discipline that investigates the biologic effects of ultraviolet radiation on the immune system is called photoimmunology . Photoimmunology evolved from an interest in understanding the role of the immune…

The systematic evaluation of photosensitive patients involves a comprehensive history, physical examination, phototesting, and, if necessary, photopatch testing and laboratory evaluation. Polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, solar urticaria, and…

Photobiology is the study of the local and systemic effects of incident radiation on living organisms. Solar radiation is made up of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is…

The excessive sweating of hyperhidrosis creates profound psychosocial, professional, and financial burdens on the individual sufferer; it contributes to impaired self-worth and self-efficacy, decreased satisfaction in all relationships, avoidance of…