Tests
Tests 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 midepidermal layers.[10]
Variable degree of subepidermal edema, with or without blister formation, depending on severity of burn.
Result
eosinophilic keratinocytes with absent or pyknotic nuclei
phototesting
Test
Result
Test
Rarely indicated, only when diagnosis is in doubt. Phototesting involves assessment of the minimal erythemal doses for ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B to detect abnormal photosensitivity.
Result
normally negative in acute sunburn
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