Polymorphic light eruption

Abstract

It is a fairly common condition, perhaps affecting 15% of people in the UK. It is common in those with fair skin and tends to affect women two to three times more often than men. [1, 2] PMLE occurs commonly in people with pigmented skin, although its presentation may differ, being more likely to be the pinpoint papular and lichenoid variants of the rash. [3] Age of onset is usually 20-40 years. Incidence increases with distance from the equator. This is thought to be due to the greater proportion of UVA further from the equator, as UVB suppresses the immune response in the skin and UVA tends to provoke the rash. [4]