011 Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) in African‐Americans presenting as pinpoint papules

Abstract

Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is the most common chronic idiopathic photodermatosis with a prevalence estimated at 10-20% and a genetic predisposition from 5-45%. It tends to occur in the spring with gradual resolution as summer progresses. Papular eruptions are most commonly seen, however, several morphological variants exist among affected individuals, including vesicular, eczematous and papulovesicular lesions. Lesions are usually monomorphic in a given patient. We present nine African-American female patients in whom PMLE manifests as a pinpoint papular variant, which has not been commonly described previously. Of the four patients who were phototested, one had an abnormal UVA MED result of 12 J/cm2. Histopathologic findings revealed perivascular and focal lichenoid lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with papillary dermal hemorrhage in all biopsy specimens.