Histopathology of solar prurigo

Background. Solar or actinic prurigo (PS) is one of the most common shin di seases observed in oar country, particularly in the pediatric age; in our i nstitution it is on the 14 place with a frequency of 1.34%. It represents a n abnormal reaction to solar light and in its pathogenesis diverse factors participate, mainly immunogenetical and environmental. Although their clini cal characteristics are already specified, the histopathological features a re still not well documented. Material and methods. We carried out a retros pective and observational study in order to analyze the histopathologic cha nges in 20 samples of skin coming from 20 pediatric patients with PS; in al l of them diagnosis was well established on clinical criteria. Results. Twe nty children with PS of more than one year of evolution, ten of each sex, a ll mestizos or indigenous inhabitants of Mexico City and vicinity; we ident ified recent anal late lesions, with epidermal and dermal changes, the more conspicuous were: spongiotic papules usually with psoriasiform epidermal h yperplasia, in association with perivascular, superficial and mild lymphocy tic infiltrates, usually with few eosinophils, exocytosis of lymphocytes in to the epidermis, pigment incontinence and extravasation of erythrocytes. C onclusions. The PS is an inflammatory cutaneous disease for which histopath ological diagnosis is feasible of being established on, shin. biopsies of r ecent or late lesions.