Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Recognition of Epidermal Transglutaminase by IgA and Tissue Transglutaminase 2 Antibodies in a Rare Case of Rhesus Dermatitis
Published on: December 15, 2011
Solar urticaria unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulins
Mar Llamas-Velasco1, Diego De Argila, Cristina Eguren
1Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Fundación de Investigación Biomédica, Madrid, Spain. mar.llamasvelasco@gmail.com
The treatment of solar urticaria (SU) can be difficult. Only a few cases of SU have been treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) (as monotherapy or combined with phototherapy), with reported fast and durable increase of solar exposure tolerance. A 61-year-old female with severe UVB- and UVA-induced SU and a 62-year-old female with severe UVA and visible light-induced SU were both treated with a single course of IVIg (total dose of 2 g/kg), infused over 3 days. Phototest, performed 3 months after the treatment, showed only a slight minimal urticating dose improvement, and both patients reported just a moderate and 'transient' subjective improvement. Our patient's poorer response, compared with previous reports, may be due to differences in IVIg's treatment schedules, which are reviewed.
The treatment of solar urticaria (SU) can be difficult. Only a few cases of SU have been treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) (as monotherapy or combined with phototherapy), with reported fast and durable increase of solar exposure tolerance. A 61-year-old female with severe UVB- and UVA-induced SU and a 62-year-old female with severe UVA and visible light-induced SU were both treated with a single course of IVIg (total dose of 2 g/kg), infused over 3 days. Phototest, performed 3 months after the treatment, showed only a slight minimal urticating dose improvement, and both patients reported just a moderate and 'transient' subjective improvement. Our patient's poorer response, compared with previous reports, may be due to differences in IVIg's treatment schedules, which are reviewed.
Related Concept Videos
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Hypersensitivities
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
Allergic Drug Reactions
