Polymorphous Light Eruption

Polymorphous light eruption is a skin reaction to rays of energy that are found in sunlight (ultraviolet radiation, or UV radiation). Tanning beds and sunlamps also use UV radiation. Polymorphous light eruption can cause itchy, red patches to develop on skin that is exposed to UV radiation. The patches usually appear immediately after or within a few hours of being in the sun or after using a tanning bed or sunlamp. They often go away on their own within several days or weeks.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if:

• You are a woman.
• You have light-colored skin (light complexion).
• You live in a northern climate.
• You have a family history of this condition.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Small bumps on the skin.
• Itchy patches on the skin.
• Redness or scales on the skin.
• A feeling of burning on the skin.
• Swelling. This is rare.
• Blisters. These are rare.
• Chills, headache, nausea, and a general feeling of illness (malaise). These symptoms are rare.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your medical history.
• Phototests. These are tests to check your skin’s reaction to a type of ultraviolet light (UVA light).

How is this treated?

Polymorphous light eruption may clear up without treatment. Treatment for this condition may include:

• Protecting your skin from the sun with clothing and sunscreen.
• Avoiding sunlight between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Applying medicines to the skin to reduce swelling (topical corticosteroids).
• Gradually spending more time in the sun to build resistance.
• Oral immunosuppressive therapy, in rare cases. These are medicines taken by mouth that reduce the activity of the body’s disease-fighting (immune) system.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take and apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Wear clothing to protect your skin from sunlight. This includes long sleeves and hats.
• Use broad-spectrum sunscreens that have an SPF of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum means that the sunscreen protects your skin from both types of UV light (UVA and UVB). Check product labels to make sure that the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB light.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about being in the sun. You may need to:
  • Avoid spending time in the sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. UV radiation is strongest during those hours.
  • Gradually spend more and more time in sunlight.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have severe pain, and medicines do not help.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe skin blistering, peeling, or bleeding.
• You have a very high fever or chills.
• You have a severe headache, you feel confused, or you faint.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• You develop body aches and pains.

Summary

• Polymorphous light eruption is a skin reaction to rays of energy found in sunlight (UV radiation). This condition can also be caused by UV radiation from tanning beds and sun lamps.
• You may have itchy, red patches on your skin that go away on their own.
• You may not need treatment. If you do need treatment, it usually includes protective clothing to shield your skin from the sun, broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher, and medicines that you apply to your skin.