HYDROA VACCINIFORME

History and clinical findings: For three years, each time the day afte r intensive exposure to the sun a Ei-year-old girl developed moderatel y painful erythema and blisters on uncovered parts of her body which s ubsequently healed with scarring. There was no increased photosensitiv ity among members of her family. There were numerous blisters and bull ae, some of them confluent, filled with serous fluid on her back, on h er arms an in the face. There were varioliform scars on the extensor s urfaces of her arms. Investigation: There were no porphyrins in red ce lls, serum or urine. The characteristic skin changes were reproduced o n 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 administr ation of beta-carotene, 25 mg twice daily. Conclusion: In children lig ht-induced skin changes which heal with scarring may be due to hydroa vacciniforme.