Visible light‐induced solar urticaria is improved by omalizumab

Solar urticaria (SU) is a rare type of physical urticaria triggered by sun exposure with pathognomonic wheal and flare seen within five to ten minutes of sun exposure. The mechanism of action is a type 1 hypersensibility, Immunoglobulin E mediated, triggered by an unknown photoallergen. Phototesting determines the eliciting action spectrum and the minimal urticaria dose. The first line treatment relay on antihistamines and sun protectors. Other treatment options are phototherapy, plasmapheresis, cyclosporin A, and intravenous immunoglobulin (1). Therefore some SU are resistant to these treatments. The objective of this study was to investigate the variation in phototest results in patients with solar urticaria, triggered mainly by visible light, resistant to antihistamines treatment, receiving two injections of omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody, 150 mg per month for three months. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.