A 5-year-old child develops recurrent crops of vesicles on the cheeks and ears after sun exposure during summer. The lesions heal with depressed, varioliform scars. The most likely diagnosis is:
- A Polymorphic light eruption
- B Hydroa vacciniforme ✓
- C Lupus erythematosus
- D Porphyria cutanea tarda
Correct answer: B. Hydroa vacciniforme
Explanation
Hydroa vacciniforme is a childhood photodermatosis characterized by recurrent vesicles on sun-exposed skin (cheeks, ears, hands) that heal with characteristic varioliform (smallpox-like) scarring. PMLE heals without scarring. PCT presents with blistering and fragility rather than vesicles with scarring. Lupus may scar but the clinical pattern differs. The varioliform scarring is the discriminating feature.
Reference: Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, 13th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.