Photosensitivity Disorders
| Definition: |
Abnormal responses to sunlight or artificial light due to extreme reactivity of light-absorbing molecules in tissues. It refers almost exclusively to skin photosensitivity, including sunburn, reactions due to repeated prolonged exposure in the absence of photosensitizing factors, and reactions requiring photosensitizing factors such as photosensitizing agents and certain diseases. With restricted reference to skin tissue, it does not include photosensitivity of the eye to light, as in photophobia or photosensitive epilepsy. |
| Notes: |
a skin disease entity: does not mean sensitivity to light of eye, plants, bacteria, etc. ( = LIGHT) |
| Also Called: |
Photosensitization,Chronic Actinic Dermatitis,Actinic Reticuloid Syndrome,Dermatitis, Actinic |
Photosensitivity Disorders Categories.
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Hydroa Vacciniforme - A vesicular and bullous eruption having a tendency to recur in summer during childhood and commonly appearing on sun-exposed skin. The lesions are surrounded by an erythematous zone and resemble a vaccination. (From Dorland, 27th ed) |
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Sunburn - An injury to the skin causing erythema, tenderness, and sometimes blistering and resulting from excessive exposure to the sun. The reaction is produced by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. |
Photosensitivity Disorders Definitions and Terms
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