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What is Chronic actinic dermatitis?
- Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is an immune-mediated photodermatosis most commonly seen in middle-aged to elderly men living in temperate regions.
- It presents as pruritic, eczematous, and often lichenified patches and plaques, primarily affecting sun-exposed areas while typically sparing the eyelids, skin folds, and the area behind the ears.
- CAD is frequently associated with multiple contact allergies and often develops on a background of atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, or seborrheic dermatitis, though it can also arise independently.
- In about half of affected individuals, photosensitivity may resolve after 15 years or more, although contact allergies tend to persist.
Synonyms
- Actinic reticuloid
- Chronic photosensitivity dermatitis
Prevalence: 1-5 / 10 000
Age of onset: Adult
What are the symptoms of chronic actinic dermatitis?
Very frequent symptoms
- Cutaneous photosensitivity HP:0000992
- Eczematoid dermatitis HP:0000964
- Pruritus HP:0000989
Frequent symptoms
- Epidermal acanthosis HP:0025092
- Erythematous papule HP:0030350
Occasional symptoms
- Actinic keratosis HP:0025127
- Hypopigmented skin patches HP:0001053
- Late onset atopic dermatitis HP:0007573
- Lichenification HP:0100725
- Progressive hyperpigmentation HP:0007505
Very rare symptoms
- Allergic rhinitis HP:0003193
- Erythroderma HP:0001019
