Solar urticaria related to ultraviolet nail lamps: a case report

Katrien Coninx1, Olivier Aerts2, An Bervoets1,2

1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium; 2Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium

Corresponding author: Dr. Katrien Coninx, E-mail: katrienconinx@hotmail.com

Submission: 09.05.2019; Acceptance: 15.08.2019

DOI: 10.7241/ourd.20194.14

Cite this article: Coninx K, Aerts O, Bervoets A. Solar urticaria related to ultraviolet nail lamps: a case report. Our Dermatol Online. 2019;10(4):369-371.

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ABSTRACT

Solar urticaria is a rare chronic skin condition triggered via (an) uncharacterized chromophore(s) and characterized by skin lesions and/or itch immediately after sun exposure. We present a 50-year-old woman who presented to us with a history of an itchy and burning sensation after a few minutes of sun exposure, first noticed after applying gel nails for the first time. We suggest that a photoallergen can be formed during the polymerization and hardening process of gel nails.

Key words: Solar urticaria, Ultraviolet nail lamps, Gel nails, Pathogenesis, Case report

INTRODUCTION

Solar urticaria is an idiopathic rare immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated photodermatosis with a largely hypothetical pathogenesis. A reaction between a precursor factor in the skin and an action spectrum is assumed [1]. We report a case of solar urticaria in which ultraviolet (UV) nail lamps are thought to be the trigger for solar urticaria. The intense effect of UVA exposure may provoke initial sensitization to an emerging photoallergen in sun-sensitive people. Further research is needed to investigate the process of emerging photoallergens in solar urticaria.

CASE REPORT

A 50-year-old woman noticed tingling of her hands after applying gel nails for the first time, ten months before the first consultation. This sensation returned after every application accompanied with pruritus and a burning sensation. In spring, she developed an itching and burning sensation on head, arms and legs. After a few minutes of sun exposure, she immediately developed an erythema on sun-exposed areas. These symptoms decreased a little bit after taking antihistamines (cetirizine). Later in spring, she noticed a feeling of swelling and discovered redness in the neck. The itchy feeling persisted and she also experienced symptoms on cloudy days, but not behind glass. The symptoms did not improve during summer. The general practitioner prescribed ebastine 20 mg, bilastine 20 mg and cetirizine 20 mg without any improvement. A neurological examination revealed no cause for the tingling sensation. There were no other systemic symptoms reported. She also reported that the rash always started at her fingers. The patient took daily progesterone 200 mg, paroxetine 10 mg, levothyroxine 100 µg, lorazepam 1 mg and alendronic acid with cholecalciferol once weekly. Contact allergy and photo contact allergy were excluded by (photo)patch tests with the Belgian standard series, cosmetic test series, drug test series, photo patch test series and own products and contents. The tests revealed positivity for nickel, cobalt and an unclear reaction to limonene and linalool hydroperoxides. These results couldn’t explain the lesions. Eventually, she was referred to our specialized center to perform monochromatic phototesting to exclude any form of light allergy. We excluded cutaneous porphyria’s by analyzing the heme synthesis (Table 1). Blood porphyrin analysis revealed free erythrocyte porphyrin levels of 1278 µg/L RBC with a normal PPIX/ZNPP ratio and normal plasma porphyrin, excluding the diagnosis of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. The clinical findings and phototesting (Figs. 1 and 2) suggested the diagnosis of solar urticaria with a reduced minimal erythema dose (MED) of 10 J/cm2 at 350±10 nm (UVA spectrum) and a strong erythemal flare reaction immediately after radiation (Table 2 and 3). The term MED as a measure of erythemal radiation is not a standard measure as normal ranges are highly dependent on individual sensitivity, characteristics of the source, determinants of the exposure, nature of the skin and observational factors. The reference limits are specific to a particular investigating center, these tables show the reference limits in our center [2]. We suggested protection with sunscreens, clothing, a hat and sunglasses. We also suggested continuing the treatment with antihistamines, but, if insufficient, UVB therapy thrice weekly with gradually increasing the dose was proposed.

Table 1: Analysis of the Heme synthesis with free erythrocyte porphyrin, zinc-chelated protoporphyrin (ZnPP), free protoporphyrin (PPIX) and plasma porphyrin
Table 2: Minimal erythema dose (MED) test 24-hour after irradiation
Table 3: MED-test immediately after irradiation
Figure 1: (a) At 350 nm, a strong erythemal flare reaction is visible immediately after irradiation. This clinical sign is very suggestive for the diagnosis of solar urticaria. (b) Details of the irradiation zones of 370, 400 und 450 nm immediately after irradiation. A clearly visible urticarial plaque is seen at 370 nm.
Figure 2: (a) 24 hours after irradiation a reduced MED of 40 mJ/cm2 at 300 nm and of 2 J/cm2 at 320 nm is visible. At 370 nm an erythemal response is visible. (b) 24 hours after irradiation, the strong reaction has disappeared. Reduced MED of 10 J/cm2 is visible in the UVA-range (350 nm).

DISCUSSION

In the context of investigation of photosensitivity the patient was already tested for (photo)contact allergy. She did not take any medications known to cause phototoxicity. Familial history revealed no affected members. The clinical history of the time course, absence of hardening and swelling are also suggestive for solar urticaria. To complete the proper investigation of photosensitivity, the patient was tested with a monochromator (LOT Oriel Group Europe, Germany) in order to identify the correct minimal erythema dose and action spectrum. She developed a strong urticarial reaction immediately after irradiation in the UVA range, indicating a very low minimal urticarial dose (MUD) in these range. Consequently, we diagnosed the patient with solar urticaria with action spectrum in the UVA range.

A reaction between a precursor factor in the skin and an action spectrum is assumed in literature [1]. The resulting photo allergen induces immunoglobulin E production triggering mast cell degranulation, an erythematous flare reaction and wheals or itch appear as a result of type I allergy [3,4]. During the diagnostic process, we were surprised by the coincidence of the use of gel manicure systems and UV nail lamps and the development of solar urticaria. In the case of gel manicure systems, different acrylate monomers constitute together a nail polish, requiring UV light for polymerization and hardening, mostly in a wavelength range of 340-380 nanometer, in the UVA range [5,6]. The UVA radiation is necessary to let the artificial nail coating polymerize. In relation to the accepted pathogenesis of solar urticaria, it is remarkable that the patient developed solar urticaria in the range of the used UV nail lamp (365nm). During a sensitization process, a precursor substance is converted to a photoallergen after light absorption of a wavelength corresponding to the triggering action spectrum (AS). Subsequently, IgE immunoglobulins are formed against the photoallergen resulting in an immediate-type hypersensitivity reaction by subsequent contact with the wavelength of the AS [7].

CONCLUSION

We reported on a development of solar urticaria after the use of UV nail lamps. and hypothesize that the patient was sensitized during the UV nail irradiation process. People need to be aware of the risks associated with the use of UV nail lamps.

Consent

The examination of the patient was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles.

REFERENCES

1.  Botto NC, Warshaw EM. Solar urticaria. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59:909-20.

2.  Honigsmann H, Hawk JL, Lim HW. Photodermatology. 1st ed. Boca Raton (FL):CRC Press;2007.

3.  Goetze S, Elsner P. Lichturtikaria–Urticaria solaris. J Deuts Dermatol Gesell. 2015;13:1250-4.

4.  Haylett AK, Koumaki D, Rhodes LE. Solar urticaria in 145 patients:Assessment of action spectra and impact on quality of life in adults and children. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2018;34:262-8.

5.  Shihab N, Lim HW. Potential cutaneous carcinogenic risk of exposure to UV nail lamp:A review. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2018;34:362-5.

6.  Rieder EA, Tosti A. Cosmetically induced disorders of the nail with update on contemporary nail manicures. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9:39.

7.  Kojima M, Horiko T, Nakamura Y, Aoki T. Solar urticaria:the relationship of photoallergen and action spectrum. Arch Dermatol. 1986;122:550-5.

Notes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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