[Polymorphous photodermatitis. Morphology and temporal course].

From 1985 to 1990 we saw 318 patients with polymorphous light eruption (PLE). Papular (47.4%) and papular-vesicular (27.2%) skin lesions were predominant. A monomorphous picture was seen in 31%. The first lesions appeared within a median period of 19 h after sun exposure, and in 38% of cases within 5 h. In most patients (78.7%) the skin eruptions faded within 1 week of appearance (median 4 days). There seems to be a correlation between the course of light exposure and the resulting clinical morphology. Terminological and methodical problems in the classification of PLE are discussed.