Diagnostic Considerations

Polymorphous light eruption is much more common than solar urticaria and may affect the same sites, but the lesions do not subside as quickly upon cessation of sun exposure

Erythropoietic protoporphyria usually manifests earlier in life^[11]

Lupus erythematosus is more common in women, and signs and symptoms, other than dermatologic ones, accompany the acute systemic form; localized cutaneous forms have different morphologies (eg, discoid, papulosquamous, annular), but lupus erythematosus should be excluded through laboratory test findings

Photocontact dermatitis manifests in a pattern suggestive of the contactant or allergen and does not totally disappear upon discontinuation of sun exposure

Miliaria rubra (heat rash) can be mistaken for solaria urticaria

Churg-Strauss syndrome may manifest solar urticaria^[12]

Differential Diagnoses

Workup

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Media Gallery

Solar urticaria. Courtesy of DermNet New Zealand (http://www.dermnetnz.org/assets/Uploads/reactions/solar-urticaria.jpg).
Solar urticaria. Courtesy of DermNet New Zealand (http://www.dermnetnz.org/assets/Uploads/reactions/solar-urticaria1.jpg).

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Author

Marc Zachary Handler, MD Fellow in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of NY and NJ

Marc Zachary Handler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, European Society for Pediatric Dermatology, International Society of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, Society for Pediatric Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Philip J Cohen, MD Chief, Section of Dermatology, New Jersey Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ani L Tajirian, MD Procedural Fellow, Division of Dermatology, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Elma D Baron, MD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland; Director of Skin Study Center, University Hospitals Research Institute; Acting Chief of Dermatology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland

Elma Baron, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Photobiology, Photomedicine Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology