Photodermatoses induced by oral contraceptives

The pathogenetic role of liver damage in photodermatoses induced by oral contraceptives was investigated. From among 121 cases with photodermatosis, it was in 4 cases of polymorphic light eruption-like dermatosis and in 2 cases of porphyria cutanea tarda that a longterm use of antibaby pills preceded the development of skin disease. Physical and biochemical studies of the liver of the patients suggested that the hepatotoxicity of the estrogen component of oral contraceptives can play a role not only in the pathomechanism of porphyric cases, but also in that of cases occurring with the clinical picture of polymorphic light eruption.