Dept. of Clinical Social Medicine, Univ. of Heidelberg - Germany

SUNALL website
The group in Heidelberg is responsible for the structure of the SUNALL web-site. The SUNALL logo, a sun in front of the European map, symbolises the partnership of several European countries in our project. The website provides detailed information on sun allergy, especially PLE. The page includes general information on sunlight and the skin structure as well as specific information on PLE including symptoms, aetiology, clinical features, useful investigations, possible prophylaxis and treatment. Also we present some typical clinical photos with different types of PLE, a list with possible differential diagnosis and synonymes.


Prevalence questionnaire
An observational study has been started to get further information on signs and symptoms, prevalence and common treatment of sun allergy in different European countries in medical staff as an example population.

The distribution of possible risk factors for sun allergy and previous treatment, if any, will be obtained in-person interviews in a sample of the population in Finland, Great Britain, Netherlands, Germany and Greece. A standardised questionnaire is used to record the information. Each centre should include at least 1000 subjects.

We have already conducted and evaluated a pilot study among 210 white and blue collar workers. The prevalence of sun allergy was for all subjects 12% being 8% and 16% for males and females respectively.

Till now we have recorded about 1400 questionnaires in our department. Furthermore the other centres already collected about 2000 questionnaires.