Photoirritation (phototoxicity) from topical agents.

Research with phototoxic agents relevant to man has been usually related to their clinical toxicity potential (bergamot dermatitis) or attempts to harness their toxic properties for the therapy of vitiligo and psoriasis. This review is concerned mainly with the former. Our insights are related mainly to information gained from bergamot, an obvious form of clinical toxicity that long awaited simply animal or human models for experimental study. Are there other forms of phototoxicity that are less obvious? Are any melanodermas or chloasmas due to phototoxicity originating from undelineated chemicals? Will other forms of clothing dermatitis (such as bikini dermatitis) be demonstrated as being caused by phototoxic agents? Those questions should be answered by the alert investigator. The experimental tools are available and await the use of the inquisitive mind.