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Start free with EleplanChronic actinic dermatitis
ORPHA:330064Disease
Also called Actinic reticuloid · Chronic photosensitivity dermatitis
What it is
Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is an immunologically mediated photodermatosis usually observed in temperate climates and that typically develops in middle-aged to elderly males. CAD is characterized by eczematous and often lichenified pruritic patches and confluent plaques located predominantly on sun-exposed areas with notable sparing of eyelids, skin folds, and postauricular skin. It is often accompanied by multiple contact allergies and usually occurs in a background of either atopic, contact allergic, or seborrheic dermatitis, although it can occur de novo. Resolution of photosensitivity is reported in up to 50% of individuals after 15 years or more, with contact allergies persisting.
Key facts
- Prevalence
- 1-5 / 10 000 (United Kingdom)
- Age of onset
- Adult
- Inheritance
- Not applicable
- Classified as
- Disease
Prevalence figures describe populations, not individuals, and are often estimates from a single study. Where the figure is an incidence or a birth prevalence, it says so.
Signs and symptoms
Sometimes5–29%
5These ranges are how often a sign appears across everyone diagnosed, not a prediction for one person — most people have some of these and not others. Orphanet also records findings that are specifically absent in this disease; those are in the data but not listed here.
ICD-10 codes
Related health topics
Reached through the ICD-10 categories this disease is filed under, so these describe the broader group rather than this disease specifically.
Cross-references
Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Data version 2026-06-23. Available under CC BY 4.0. This is a reference, not medical advice.
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