Solar urticaria

When urticaria solaris is an acute skin reaction ( sun) light. Typically, the skin reacts with hives, redness and itching. Synonym terms used are urticaria PHOTOGENICA, Sonnenurtikaria, Sommerurtikaria, photoallergic urticaria and solar urticaria.

Cause

Typical of the urticaria solaris is the short-term ( few minutes ) appearance of wheals after exposure to sunlight. Triggers can thereby be radiation both the visible sunlight, and UV- A and UV -B.

Symptoms

In sun-exposed areas of the skin leads to itching, redness and wheals (hives). Inflammatory substances of mast cells ( histamine and Others ) are responsible for this reaction.

Diagnostics

In case of suspected urticaria a light skin testing is performed. Small areas on the body are exposed to light of different wavelengths, whereby both the diagnosis always confirmed and also a differentiation of the individual molds ( sensitivity to light of a certain wavelength) can be carried out.

Therapy

Therapeutically avoiding strong sunlight and the use of Sonnenschutzcrems ( high SPF necessary) are recommended. In some cases it may also be effected by controlled irradiation with light of the appropriate wavelength and in ascending amount that the person concerned can increase your exposure to sunlight again (tolerance increase ). In the short term it may be necessary symptomatic of the use of corticosteroids.