Solar Urticaria

Solar urticaria treated successfully with intravenous high‐dose immunoglobulin: a case report

“…The control of solar urticaria is difficult and challenging because the first‐line treatments (photoprotection measures, oral antihistamines and phototherapy) can be inefficient and disappointing (3, 4). There are some anecdotal reports concerning the efficacy of other treatments such as plasmapheresis, cyclosporin A, chloroquine phosphate and doxepine, but besides being not always effective (2), they can lead to several severe side effects, so their use should be limited (4). There are a few reports in the recent past of cases successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (3, 4).…”

“…Solar urticaria is a rare idiopathic photodermatosis, which affects predominantly young adults (1, 2). It can be induced by UVB, UVA or visible light (1).…”

“…It is characterized by the sudden onset of pruritic urticarial hives and plaques on the exposed areas of the skin, after a brief period of exposure to the natural sunlight or to an artificial light source. It is characteristic for disappearance of lesions few minutes or hours after the avoidance of sun exposure (1, 2). The majority of solar urticaria cases are attributed to visible light, posing important therapeutic problems to patients working outdoors.…”

Three cases of solar urticaria successfully treated with omalizumab

“…1,2 The five-year survival rate for both melanomas is <20%, lower than the five-year survival rate for cutaneous melanomas. 3,4 Given their paucity, the epidemiologic characteristics of genital melanomas are not well delineated and many of the treatment recommendations are based on small case series or general melanoma guidelines. Further investigation into these aspects is needed as genital melanomas significantly differ from cutaneous melanomas.…”

“…The treatment of choice consists of sun protection and H1antihistamines and higher than conventional doses of antihistamines are required for maximum effect. 4 Other treatment options are photo-or photochemotherapy hardening, plasmapheresis, cyclosporin A and intravenous immunoglobulins. Recently, three cases of successful therapy of solar urticaria with omalizumab (Xolair â , Novartis Pharma, Basel, Switzerland), 5,6 a case of partial improvement, 7 and a case of treatment failure 8 have been reported.…”