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Xeroderma is a medical term for abnormally dry skin. However, Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a severe, rare, inherited genetic disorder characterized by an extreme inability to repair DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light.
read more about xeroderma ...The cause is a mutation in genes that control DNA repair mechanisms. This failure means that when skin cells are exposed to UV light, the DNA damage cannot be fixed, leading to rapid cellular mutation. The skin becomes extremely sensitive to sun exposure, resulting in severe sunburns, skin breakdown, and cancer.
Symptoms define extreme photosensitivity. Infants develop severe, blistering sunburns from minimal sun exposure. The skin quickly develops dark spots, freckles, and pigment abnormalities. The greatest risk is the development of multiple skin cancers (melanoma and non-melanoma) in childhood.
Xeroderma Pigmentosum severely impacts eye health because the eyes are constantly exposed to UV light. The disease causes severe dryness, chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva, clouding of the cornea, and tumors on the eyelid and ocular surface. Strict UV protection is mandatory to prevent blindness and cancer.
Diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by specialized DNA repair testing, which checks the ability of the skin cells to repair UV damage. Genetic testing confirms the specific gene mutation.
Necessary preventative measures are life-saving. Patients must use broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen, wear UV-protective clothing, and wear specialized UV-blocking spectacles and side shields at all times, even indoors. Sun avoidance is mandatory.
No, the genetic defect is permanent, but strict UV avoidance prevents damage.
Yes, some patients with XP also experience progressive neurological damage.
No, the condition is a severe genetic disorder.
If a child develops severe "freckling" before age two or has extreme light sensitivity (Photophobia), seek genetic testing for XP. Patients require quarterly examinations by a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist, as they are 10,000 times more likely to develop eye and skin cancers.
AAO. Xeroderma Pigmentosum and the Eye (aao.org). 2024.
NORD. Xeroderma Pigmentosum (rarediseases.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Xeroderma Pigmentosum (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.
Skin Cancer Foundation. Xeroderma Pigmentosum (skincancer.org). 2024.