eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Photo-Related Diseases

Phytophotodermatitis: Follow-up

Author: William P Baugh, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of California Irvine School of Medicine and Western School of Medicine; Medical Director, Full Spectrum Dermatology; Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, St Jude Medical Center
Coauthor(s): David Barnette, Jr, MD, Chief of Dermatopathology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Naval Medical Center at San Diego; Walter D Kucaba, DO, Private Family Practice, Simpsonville, South Carolina; Cynthia L Chen, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 16, 2009

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Regular use of UV-A–blocking sunscreens may help to diminish the cutaneous effects of phytophotodermatitis (PPD) if contact with plant psoralens occurs.
  • Patients should avoid the offending agent.

Prognosis

  • The prognosis is good with identification and avoidance of the offending agent.

Patient Education

  • Reassure the patient that phytophotodermatitis is a self-limited problem that resolves with removal of the offending agent.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Phytophotodermatitis

Overview: Phytophotodermatitis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Phytophotodermatitis
Treatment & Medication: Phytophotodermatitis
Follow-up: Phytophotodermatitis
Multimedia: Phytophotodermatitis
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

phytophotodermatitis PPD, phototoxic reaction, urticarial dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, phototoxic dermatitis, psoralens, furocoumarins, Umbelliferae, Rutaceae, Moraceae, Leguminosae

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

William P Baugh, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of California Irvine School of Medicine and Western School of Medicine; Medical Director, Full Spectrum Dermatology; Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, St Jude Medical Center
William P Baugh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and Christian Medical & Dental Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David Barnette, Jr, MD, Chief of Dermatopathology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Naval Medical Center at San Diego
David Barnette, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Walter D Kucaba, DO, Private Family Practice, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Walter D Kucaba, DO is a member of the following medical societies: Aerospace Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cynthia L Chen, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Craig A Elmets, MD, Director of Dermatology, Departments of Dermatology, Pathology, and Environmental Health Sciences; Professor, The Kirklin Clinic, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Craig A Elmets, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Palomar Medical Technologies Stock None; Amgen Consulting fee Review panel membership; Astellas Consulting fee Review panel membership; Massachusetts Medical Society Salary Employment; Abbott Laboratories Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Jeffrey J Miller, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Penn State University College of Medicine; Staff Dermatologist, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center
Jeffrey J Miller, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, North American Hair Research Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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