- Solar urticaria
Solar urticaria is a rare condition in which exposure to ultraviolet radiation induces a case of
urticaria or hives.Causes
Solar urticaria is caused by direct exposure to light including UVA or UVB rays and visible light. [ cite web|url=http://urticaria.org/index.php?id=1167 |title=Symptoms |accessdate=2008-10-05 |date=2007 |publisher=Urticaria Network e.V. ]
Symptoms
Within minutes of the initial exposure to UV radiation, a rash will appear. The areas affected are generally exposed skin that is usually covered by clothing. The areas constantly subject the sun's rays may slightly affected if at all. Parts of the body only thinly covered could potentially be subject to an outbreak as well. If vast areas of the body are affected, the loss of fluid into the skin could lead to light-headedness, headache, nausea and vomiting. Once free of exposure, the rash will fade away and rarely lasts longer than 24 hours. cite web|url=http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/solar-urticaria.html |title=Solar urticaria |accessdate=2008-10-06 |last=Ngan |first=Vanessa |date=2008-03-10 |publisher=DermNet NZ ]
Occurrence
In the United States, only about 4% of patients with photosensitive disorders are reported to have been diagnosed with solar urticaria. Internationally, the number is slightly larger at 5.3%. Solar urticaria occurs in all races. However, females are slightly more prone to developing solar urticaria. The age ranges anywhere from 10-70 years old, but the average age is 35 and cases have been reported in infancy. [ cite web|url=http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic448.htm |title=Urticaria, Solar |accessdate=2008-10-06 |last=Baron |first=Elma |coauthors=Donald Belsito, MD |date=2007-03-23 |publisher=emedicine ]
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
