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A Case of Photocontact Urticaria Induced by Photodynamic Therapy with Topical 5‐Aminolaevulinic Acid
Author(s) -
Yokoyama Shohei,
Nakano Hajime,
Nishizawa Aya,
Kaneko Takahide,
Harada Ken,
Hanada Katsumi
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2005.tb00857.x
Subject(s) - dermatology , photodynamic therapy , itching , medicine , erythema , mycosis fungoides , erythema multiforme , adverse effect , pathology , chemistry , pharmacology , organic chemistry , lymphoma
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical application of 5‐aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is a promising new treatment option for the management of various cutaneous malignancies. Generally, topical ALA‐based PDT has relatively insignificant adverse effects of transient character; these include itching, stinging or burning pain and slight to moderate erythema. We describe the first case of photocontact urticaria induced by topical ALA‐based PDT for the treatment of unilesional mycosis fungoides. Although the first treatment session resulted merely in mild erythema, the second PDT caused marked urticaria corresponding to the PDT‐applied area with an intolerable stinging sensation. A photopatch test demonstrated that black light and visible light irradiation after topical ALA provoked an urticarial reaction in the patient's uninvolved skin. These observations suggested an allergic pathogenesis for the wheal formation induced by PDT with topical ALA in this case. Photocontact urticaria should be considered as a possible adverse effect in ALA‐based PDT.