Diagnosis and treatment of solar urticaria

Solar urticaria is one of the most annoying of the photodermatoses. It can be difficult to diagnosis because of phototesting problems, and it is not easy to treat. The different treatment modalities available all have their practical problems, so it is difficult to provide the patient with adequate protection. In many patients, however, treatment can reduce the symptoms and allow regular exposure of the skin to natural sunlight as the skin becomes more tolerant to the provoking wavelengths, the result being more complete protection.