Pmle

Polymorphous light eruption is an immunologically mediated photodermatosis with high prevalence, particularly among young women in temperate climates, characterized by pruritic skin lesions of variable morphology, occurring in spring or early summer on sun-exposed body sites. A resistance to ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced immunosuppression and a subsequent delayed-type hypersensitivity response to a photoantigen have been suggested as key factors in the disease. Molecular and immunologic disturbances associated with disease pathogenesis include a failure of skin infiltration by neutrophils and other regulatory immune cells on UVR exposure linked to a disturbed cytokine microenvironment...

BACKGROUND: Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is the most common form of idiopathic photodermatosis. Several morphologic variants of PLE have been described, including a localized form of PLE primarily affecting the helices of the ears. To our knowledge, the presence of lesions on the elbows as the unique manifestation of PLE has not yet been reported. We have studied 9 patients presenting with a recurrent eruption on the elbows, with clinical and histopathologic features indistinguishable from PLE, occurring during springtime...