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Asthma and Allergy (Expert Forum)
PMLE
Answered by
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This forum is for questions and support regarding: Allergies, Asthma, Chronic Cough, Sinusitis, and other Respiratory Disorders.
PMLE
by pupa07, Oct 11, 2007 10:02AM
Is there any test for PMLE? Who can administer it? Can PMLE still affect people after age 40?
(I have read that it usually affect people age 20 - 40) My daughter may have this condition and I am very concerned. What should she do? Please respond. Thank you.
(I have read that it usually affect people age 20 - 40) My daughter may have this condition and I am very concerned. What should she do? Please respond. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Oct 17, 2007 05:22PM
, Oct 17, 2007 05:22PM
Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is a common photodermatosis. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds by dermatologists. Biopsy is not ordinarily performed. Each of the citations below provide further details.
Authors
Full Name Naleway, Allison L. Greenlee, Robert T. Melski, John W.
Institution Epidemiology Research Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI, USA. allison.***@****
Title Characteristics of diagnosed polymorphous light eruption.
Source Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 22(4):205-7, 2006 Aug.
Abstract BACKGROUND: The characteristics of polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) have been described in patients evaluated and diagnosed at specialized photodermatology centers. Our goal was to describe the characteristics of PMLE diagnosed in a general clinic setting.
METHODS: We used electronic medical records to identify patients diagnosed with PMLE from 2000 to 2002 within a large group practice. We then collected additional information from medical records about patient demographics, lesion morphology, diagnostic testing, and therapies for the selected patients.
RESULTS: We identified 142 patients with diagnosed PMLE. After manual chart review, we excluded 18 patients with other forms of photosensitivity, eczema, or collagen vascular disease. Eighty-percent of the remaining 124 patients were diagnosed by a dermatologist during the study period. Females predominated in our patient series and the mean age of PMLE onset was 37.8 years. Lesions were commonly described as papular, edematous papulare, papulo-vesicular, eczematous, and plaque-like. Few skin biopsies were performed, and no patient had phototesting or photopatch testing. Topical corticosteroids and antihistamines were the most commonly prescribed therapies. Only four patients were treated with phototherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient demographics and lesion morphology in our cohort were similar to other reports, but patterns of diagnostic testing and treatment were somewhat different than those observed in photodermatology clinics.
Authors
Full Name Tutrone, William D. Spann, Candace Thornton. Scheinfeld, Noah. Deleo, Vincent A.
Institution Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York 10025, USA.
Title Polymorphic light eruption. [Review] [60 refs]
Source Dermatologic Therapy. 16(1):28-39, 2003.
Abstract Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is the most common photodermatosis. It is typically characterized by nonscarring, pruritic, erythematous papules, plaques, or vesicles on sun-exposed skin that develop 30 minutes to several hours after sun exposure. The eruption may persist for a few hours to as long as 2 weeks. Females are affected two to three times more often than males. PMLE has been reported in all races, but tends to affect fair-skinned individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV most commonly. The pathogenesis of PMLE has been difficult to define, although it appears to be an immune-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Abnormalities of arachidonic acid metabolism and a possible correlation with lupus are other theories that are reviewed. Treatment options have been explored extensively. While "hardening" or desensitization of the skin through repeated irradiation seems to be the most effective, therapeutic options such as sun avoidance/sun protection, oral carotenoids, and antimalarials are also considered.
Authors
Full Name Naleway, Allison L. Greenlee, Robert T. Melski, John W.
Institution Epidemiology Research Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI, USA. allison.***@****
Title Characteristics of diagnosed polymorphous light eruption.
Source Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 22(4):205-7, 2006 Aug.
Abstract BACKGROUND: The characteristics of polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) have been described in patients evaluated and diagnosed at specialized photodermatology centers. Our goal was to describe the characteristics of PMLE diagnosed in a general clinic setting.
METHODS: We used electronic medical records to identify patients diagnosed with PMLE from 2000 to 2002 within a large group practice. We then collected additional information from medical records about patient demographics, lesion morphology, diagnostic testing, and therapies for the selected patients.
RESULTS: We identified 142 patients with diagnosed PMLE. After manual chart review, we excluded 18 patients with other forms of photosensitivity, eczema, or collagen vascular disease. Eighty-percent of the remaining 124 patients were diagnosed by a dermatologist during the study period. Females predominated in our patient series and the mean age of PMLE onset was 37.8 years. Lesions were commonly described as papular, edematous papulare, papulo-vesicular, eczematous, and plaque-like. Few skin biopsies were performed, and no patient had phototesting or photopatch testing. Topical corticosteroids and antihistamines were the most commonly prescribed therapies. Only four patients were treated with phototherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient demographics and lesion morphology in our cohort were similar to other reports, but patterns of diagnostic testing and treatment were somewhat different than those observed in photodermatology clinics.
Authors
Full Name Tutrone, William D. Spann, Candace Thornton. Scheinfeld, Noah. Deleo, Vincent A.
Institution Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York 10025, USA.
Title Polymorphic light eruption. [Review] [60 refs]
Source Dermatologic Therapy. 16(1):28-39, 2003.
Abstract Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is the most common photodermatosis. It is typically characterized by nonscarring, pruritic, erythematous papules, plaques, or vesicles on sun-exposed skin that develop 30 minutes to several hours after sun exposure. The eruption may persist for a few hours to as long as 2 weeks. Females are affected two to three times more often than males. PMLE has been reported in all races, but tends to affect fair-skinned individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV most commonly. The pathogenesis of PMLE has been difficult to define, although it appears to be an immune-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Abnormalities of arachidonic acid metabolism and a possible correlation with lupus are other theories that are reviewed. Treatment options have been explored extensively. While "hardening" or desensitization of the skin through repeated irradiation seems to be the most effective, therapeutic options such as sun avoidance/sun protection, oral carotenoids, and antimalarials are also considered.
