Logo Image
News|Poll|July 17, 2015

Intensely Pruritic Rash After Sun Exposure in a Tween Girl

What are the characteristics of this blistering rash caused by exposure to UV light?


This intensely itchy, blistering rash on the forearms and upper chest of a 13-year-old girl occurred after a day at the beach. The girl had polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), the most common abnormal reaction to UV light.

All of the following statements about PMLE are true, except:

A. PMLE classically presents as a papular or papulovesicular eruption on the arms and anterior chest
B. The reaction usually begins 12 to 24 hours after an initial exposure to light of a suddenly increased intensity
C. Some parts of the body are severely involved while similarly exposed areas are paradoxically spared
D. The rash resolves after 7 to 10 days, often leaving whitish scarring

Related to this article

View more