[Reversible increase in photosensitivity to UV-B caused by St. John's wort extract]

Hautarzt. 1997 Apr;48(4):249-52. doi: 10.1007/s001050050578.
[Article in German]

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman with depression developed recurring elevated itching erythematous lesions in light-exposed areas after taking St. John's Wort-extract for three years. Routine patchtesting did not reveal any relevant reactions and photopatch testing was negative. Using a systemic oral photoprovocation test with St. John's Wort, we were able to demonstrate a decrease of the MED-UVB which was reversible after withdrawal of the medication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Dermatitis, Photoallergic / etiology*
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypericum
  • Middle Aged
  • Patch Tests
  • Perylene / administration & dosage
  • Perylene / adverse effects
  • Perylene / analogs & derivatives*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Quercetin / administration & dosage
  • Quercetin / adverse effects
  • Quercetin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*
  • Xanthenes / administration & dosage
  • Xanthenes / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Xanthenes
  • Perylene
  • Quercetin