Seabather's Eruption Workup

Updated: Oct 20, 2021
  • Author: Clarence W Brown, Jr, MD, JD, FAAD, FACMS; Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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Workup

Laboratory Studies

Diagnosis of seabather's eruption is made based on the history of exposure and the physical examination. Laboratory studies and skin biopsy are unnecessary. Although only available for research purposes, Wong et al have demonstrated elevated serum levels of immunoglobulin G antibodies specific for L unguiculata. [11]

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Procedures

A punch biopsy of involved skin may prove useful in narrowing the differential diagnosis when obtaining a reliable history of exposure is difficult.

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Histologic Findings

A skin biopsy demonstrates a predominant superficial and deep perivascular and interstitial infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils. Generally, no epidermal changes are noted, and the dermal-epidermal junction is intact.

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