Actinic elastosis

Synonym(s)

Solar elastosis; senile elastosis; dermatohe-liosis; sun damage; farmer's neck; sailor's neck

Definition

Histologic degenerative changes in the skin secondary to chronic sun exposure

Pathogenesis

Ultraviolet-induced postinflammatory dermal connective tissue degeneration; relative contribution of UVB and UVA unclear

Clinical manifestation

Yellowish hue to the skin with irregular, firm papules giving the skin a chicken skin-like appearance; dyspigmentation; redundant skin with deep furrows (cutis rhomboidalis nuchae); glistening scaly plaques along the margins of the digits (keratoelastoides marginalis); associated cysts and comedones (syndrome of Favre and Racouchot); discrete semi-translucent papules on the antihelix or helix of the ear; annular