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Solar urticaria (SU) is a rare and difficult to treat photosensitive disease, in which local skin swelling occurs within minutes of exposure to natural sunlight or even artificial light sources emitting ultraviolet radiation.
Features include very common findings: Abnormal lip morphology, Edema, Pruritus, and Urticaria and others; and common findings: Dyspnea. 16 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Skin | 3 | Pruritus, Urticaria, Dermatographic urticaria |
No approved treatments are currently available for solar urticaria. An additional 1 compound holds orphan drug designation.
While no drugs are FDA-approved specifically for solar urticaria, some of the following designated compounds may be used off-label in clinical practice. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a specialist familiar with this condition.
The following drugs have received orphan drug designation from the FDA for solar urticaria. Orphan designation reflects regulatory interest and does not indicate approval for treatment.
Brand Name | Generic Name | Sponsor |
|---|
Phenotype severity distribution: 13 very common features, 1 common feature.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
No clinical trials have been registered for solar urticaria.
24 publications have been identified in PubMed for solar urticaria. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (29%), Epidemiology / Natural History (25%), and Other (17%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 7 | 29% |
Data assembled from 5 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 11:53 AM UTC
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
2 |
Wheezing, Dyspnea |
Head and neck | 1 | Abnormal lip morphology |
Digestive system | 1 | Nausea |
Brain and nerves | 1 | Headache |
Ears | 1 | Vertigo |
Designated
Exclusivity End |
|---|
Designation Status |
|---|
afamelanotide | afamelanotide | Clinuvel, Inc. | 2009 | — | Designated |
View trials for solar urticaria
6 |
25% |
Other research | 4 | 17% |
Patient case studies | 4 | 17% |
Clinical study results | 2 | 8% |
Laboratory research | 1 | 4% |
Sher M (2026). [PMID: 42173244](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42173244/). *J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Alawadhi JF (2026). [PMID: 41192435](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41192435/). *Clin Exp Dermatol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Pacifico A (2026). [PMID: 42050783](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42050783/). *Int J Dermatol*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Parkin D (2026). [PMID: 41962134](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41962134/). *Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Bighetti S (2026). [PMID: 41870873](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41870873/). *Ital J Dermatol Venerol*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Visser WI (2026). [PMID: 41486327](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41486327/). *Dermatol Ther (Heidelb)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Mizawa M (2026). [PMID: 41327917](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41327917/). *J Dermatol*. [Other]
Mizawa M (2026). [PMID: 42051023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42051023/). *Acta Derm Venereol*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Malekan M (2025). [PMID: 40157596](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40157596/). *Drug Discov Today*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Pereda S (2025). [PMID: 41420587](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41420587/). *Rev Alerg Mex*. [Case Report / Case Series]
AI-curated news mentioning solar urticaria
Updated Aug 19, 2026
New research explores the role of mast cells in solar urticaria, suggesting that sunlight exposure triggers these cells, leading to photosensitivity reactions. This study may reshape understanding of disease mechanisms in affected patients.