SKIN PHOTOSENSITIVITY: DURATION and INTENSITY FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATES, HpD and DHE

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Abstract
In this pilot study, the duration and degree of skin photosensitivity after intravenous injection of HpD or DHE was tested sequentially once a week, using a solar simulator delivering 19.5 ± 1.5 J cm−2 to an area of skin 1.4 cm diameter. The longest duration of skin photosensitivity was 7 weeks amongst the 12 patients studied. In 180 other patients, the incidence of sunburn following PDT was less than 10% over a period of 7 y. Sunburn was always minimal (mild redness and swelling–no blisters), and required no systemic therapy or hospitalization. The reaction subsided within 2‐3 days. The low incidence was attributed to good verbal and written instructions in methods of prevention delivered to not only patients, but spouse, family members and friends by the investigator.