Erythrodermic actinic reticuloid (EAR) is a photosensitive disorder characterized by dense lymphocytic infiltration in the sun-exposed areas and an increased number of atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. We have reported 2 patients with EAR with circulating atypical lymphocytes and photosensitivity to both ultraviolet (UV) B and A. Although no clonal proliferation of T-cells was observed in the peripheral blood, CD8+ cells were increased in number in an oligoclonal fashion. A number of proliferating CD8+ cells were small, but most cells expressed bcl-2. These findings suggest EAR is a photosensitivity dermatitis characterized by the overspill of oligoclonal CD8+ lymphocytes responsive to UV irradiation.