Investigations
Investigations to consider
skin biopsy
Test
Result
Test
Rarely necessary, skin biopsy should only be performed to rule out other entities in the differential diagnosis.
Scattered eosinophilic keratinocytes with absent or pyknotic nuclei (apoptotic 'sunburn cells') in suprabasal and mid-epidermal layers.[15]
Variable degree of sub-epidermal oedema, with or without blister formation, depending on severity of burn.
Result
eosinophilic keratinocytes with absent or pyknotic nuclei
photo-testing
Test
Result
Test
Rarely indicated, only when diagnosis is in doubt. Photo-testing involves assessment of the minimal erythemal doses for ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B to detect abnormal photo-sensitivity.
Result
normally negative in acute sunburn
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