Xeroderma pigmentosum, abbreviated as XP, is a condition marked by an intense sensitivity to sunlight, leading to the onset of skin cancer at an unusually young age. Children with XP can only safely play outside after dusk. This disorder arises from an inability to repair DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. While individuals without XP can correct UV damage by incorporating new bases into their DNA, those with XP lack this capability. Exposure to sunlight results in severe sunburn and eye irritation within minutes for people with XP. Additional symptoms include extremely dry skin (xeroderma), skin blisters, extensive freckling, and dark skin patches. XP is inherited in a particular manner, and defects in several genes have been discovered to contribute to the condition. To minimize complications, it is crucial to avoid UV light and use the strongest available sunscreen when exposure is unavoidable.
