Ultraviolet light sensitivity and prolonged UVR-erythema

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Invest. Dermatol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12495667· OSTI ID:5454852

Wilson, P D; Kaidbey, K H; Kligman, A M

The erythema and tanning responses in skin type I (n . 15) and skin type IV (n . 17) have been compared in caucasoids following a single exposure to solar simulated radiation. The former sunburn easily and do not tan while the latter do not burn and tan readily. The dose of radiation was 5 times the Minimal Erythema Dose (MED). The test sites were the extensor aspect of the forearm (exposed site) and flexor aspect of the upper arm (nonexposed site). The responses were monitored at 24 and 48 hr and then twice weekly for 8 weeks. The group of skin type I individuals had a lower MED and a much more prolonged erythema on both the exposed and nonexposed sites than the group of type IV individuals. All differences were highly significant (p less than 0.005). After 4 weeks erythema remained present in all of the type I subjects but had disappeared in 16 of the 17 type IV subjects. Within the groups there was no difference between erythema duration on exposed vs. nonexposed sites, but there was a highly significant difference (p less than 0.005) between the lower MED on the upper arm and higher MED on the forearm. These results contrast with those of other reports in which prolonged erythema could not be correlated with fair complexion, sunburn sensitivity, ethnic background, or skin type but was instead found to be a distinct feature of persons who had developed nonmelanoma skin cancer. Since prolonged erythema is related to skin type it is therefore not solely a feature of patients with skin cancer.

• Research Organization: Duhring Laboratories, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• OSTI ID: 5454852
• Journal Information: J. Invest. Dermatol.; (United States), Vol. 77:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
SKIN
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
ARMS
ERYTHEMA
MAN
NEOPLASMS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
LIMBS
MAMMALS
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SYMPTOMS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects