Oral Presentation 18th International Congress on Photobiology 2024

Photodermatoses in Skin of Color (#34)

Angeli Eloise Torres 1 2
  1. Department of Dermatology, Makati Medical Center, Makati City, Philippines
  2. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Health-Tondo Medical Center, Manila, Philippines

Photodermatoses encompass a range of skin conditions that are triggered or exacerbated by exposure to sunlight. These conditions may be classified into the following categories: immune-mediated or photodermatoses, chemical- and drug-induced photosensitivity, photoaggravated dermatoses, and others. Depending on an individual’s skin type, photodermatoses can vary in occurrence and manifest differently, with skin of color exhibiting unique patterns and challenges due to the interplay of genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. Because of the more subdued erythema and propensity for diseases to present as hyperpigmentation rather than acute inflammation, diagnosing photodermatoses in skin of color can be difficult. When compared to lighter skin, the typical indications may be less noticeable, which might result in missing or delayed diagnoses. Hence, a complete patient history is essential, and physicians need to be vigilant for more subtle clinical indicators. An awareness and understanding of these distinct clinical features is necessary for effective care in order to provide a tailored approach to diagnosis, management, and prevention.

  1. Gutierrez D, Gaulding JV, Motta Beltran AF, Lim HW, Pritchett EN. Photodermatoses in skin of colour. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Nov;32(11):1879-1886. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15115.
  2. Sharma VK, Sahni K. Photodermatoses in the Pigmented Skin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;996:111-122. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-56017-5_10.