A Study of the Clinical Characteristics of Solar Urticaria in Korean Patients / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Solar urticaria is an uncommon photodermatosis characterized by the appearance of wheals after sun exposure. Although many sporadic cases have been reported, little is known about the clinical characteristics in Korean patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of solar urticaria in Korean patients, with an emphasis on demographic characteristics and action spectrum. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the records of patients phototested at Seoul National University and subsequently diagnosed with solar urticaria. RESULTS: A total 11 solar urticaria patients were used in this study. The mean age was 24 years. Nine (82%) patients were male and two patients (18%) were female. The mean age of onset was 20.8 years. The mean exposure time to wheal formation was 24 minutes and mean duration of wheal was 98 minutes. The action spectra of solar urticaria were visible light for 6 (55%) patients, ultraviolet A (UVA) for 2 (18%), both visible light and UVA for one (9%), both visible light and UVB for one, and natural sunlight for one. CONCLUSION: Visible light was the most common action spectrum in this study. Our findings illustrate the clinical and photobiological characteristics of solar urticaria in Korean patients.