A 7 year old boy developed itchy crusted papules and vesicles on the helices of the ears after intense sun exposure in the early spring. He had a similar eruption the preceding spring that healed without scarring despite continued sun exposure. The clinical features and course are typical of juvenile spring eruption, a photodermatosis that usually affects boys in their preadolescent years. This disorder probably represents a variant of polymorphous light eruption. Histology shows a dermal lynphocytic infiltrate with marked edema and subepidermal blistering. It usually occurs during the spring and summer months on the light exposed helices of the ears which are generally protected in girls by their longer hair. The use of broad spectrum sunscreens and wide brimmed hats may reduce or prevent the clinical symptoms.
