Symptoms:

• Sunburn that does not heal after just a little bit of sun exposure
• Blistering after just a little bit of sun exposure
• Spider-like blood vessels under the skin
• Patches of discolored skin that get worse
• Crusting of the skin
• Scaling of the skin
• Oozing raw skin surface
• Discomfort when being in bright light (photophobia)

Signs and tests:

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask if you have a family history of xeroderma pigmentosa.

An eye exam may show:

• Clouding of the cornea
• Keratitis
• Lid tumors
• Blepharitis

The following tests can help diagnose the condition in a baby before the birth:

• Amniocentesis
• Chorionic villous sampling
• Culture of amniotic cells

The following tests can help diagnose the disorder after the birth of the child:

• Culture of skin fibroblasts
• Skin biopsy