Evaluation and management of the patient with photosensitivity.

Evaluation of patients with photosensitivity includes a detailed history, physical examination, phototests, photopatch tests, and other laboratory tests as appropriate. The epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of the more common idiopathic photodermatoses, namely, polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria will be reviewed. A brief overview of phototoxicity, photoallergy, and photoprotection is discussed with further elaboration upon the principles of phototherapy and its utility in treating idiopathic photodermatoses.