Polymorphous light eruption (PLE), or polymorphic light eruption, is a skin complaint cause by sunlight. Symptoms include skin irritations, which may be itchy or painful, and are sometimes confused with hives. These irritations appear upon exposure to sunlight—sometimes as little as 15 minutes of exposure to the sun can bring onset of the condition—and may last from 1 to 7 days. Generally, PLE resolves without treatment; also, PLE irritations generally leave no scar. The cases of this condition are most common between the spring and autumn months in the northern hemisphere.