[Hydroa vacciniforme]

Abstract

History and clinical findings: For three years, each time the day after intensive exposure to the sun a 5-year-old girl developed moderately painful erythema and blisters on uncovered parts of her body which subsequently healed with scarring. There was no increased photosensitivity among members of her family. There were numerous blisters and bullae, some of them confluent, filled with serous fluid on her back, on her arms an in the face. There were varioliform scars on the extensor surfaces of her arms.

Investigation: There were no porphyrins in red cells, serum or urine. The characteristic skin changes were reproduced on exposure to UV-A. These findings established the diagnosis of hydroa vacciniforme.

Treatment and course: Prolonged sun exposure was to be avoided and protective ointment was prescribed together with administration of beta-carotene, 25 mg twice daily.

Conclusion: In children light-induced skin changes which heal with scarring may be due to hydroa vacciniforme.