Phototoxic and photoallergic reactions

Abstract

Phototoxic and photoallergic reactions represent skin reactions to the sun, in the presence of photoactive chemicals applied on the skin or taken systemically. They have a highly polymorphic clinical presentation - photocontact urticaria, eczema on sun-exposed areas sometimes with erythema multiforme, exaggerated sunburn, linear phytophotodermatitis, pseudoporphyria, photoonycholysis, dyschromia, and lupus erythematosus. Also, skin cancers are increasingly associated with exposure to photoactive chemicals. There is a geographical and timely variation in the responsible agents, but they are mostly furocumarins from plants, UV filters in sunscreens and cosmetics, and drugs (NSAIDs, antimicrobials, phenothiazines, amiodarone, etc.). © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.