Protection from visible light by commonly used textiles is not predicted by ultraviolet protection.

Interest is increasing in the prevention of acute and chronic actinic damage provided by clothing. This interest has focused mainly on protection against ultraviolet irradiation, but it has now also turned to protection against visible light. This change is mainly due to the action spectrum in the visible light range of some photodermatoses and the increasing interest in photodynamic therapy.

Detection of basophil-activating IgG autoantibodies in chronic idiopathic urticaria by induction of CD 63.

Background: Approximately 40% to 50% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) have functional IgG autoantibodies against FcepsilonRIalpha or IgE, which induce histamine release from basophils and cutaneous mast cells. A positive autologous serum skin test response is believed to reflect the presence of these autoantibodies.

Objective: We sought to further define the functional properties of and develop a sensitive functional assay for detection of autoantibodies in patients with CIU.