PUVA Therapy

Have you had PUVA therapy? Please share your experience about PUVA therapy by clicking on the link below.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sun1/messages/186?xm=1&threaded=1&m=e  

What was your medical condition?
How long where you treated?
Was the treatment successful?
Side effects?
And any other comments that you wish to add.

What is PUVA Therapy?

The full name for PUVA treatments is Oral Psoralen Photochemotherapy and this term describes the treatment.  It consists of taking a medication called psoralen (pronounced soralen with a silent P) by mouth and subsequent exposure to light. The light and the chemical then interact to produce a therapeutic effect (hence photochemotherapy). The light involved in the interaction is a particular type of ultraviolet light called UVA. The acronym PUVA is of course derived from the P in psoralen and UVA. [ PUVA Therapy]

The Treatment

The photochemotherapy process involves the ingestion of psoralen and then exposure to UVA light one hour later. The dose of psoralen you take is held constant and is determined by your weight. The interval between taking psoralen and being exposed to light is also held constant because peak levels of psoralen in the skin are usually reached between one and two hours after ingestion. The variable in the treatment is the dose of UVA light you are given. The initial dose is low and determined by either your past history of sunburning and suntanning or by testing your response to PUVA. The dose of UVA light is gradually increased in subsequent treatment as your tolerance to the treatment increases.

The dose of UVA light is measured in joules per square centimeter, which is an amount of energy, and this is translated into a certain number of minutes of treatment. The output of the treatment units varies over time and different units emit different amounts of energy. Therefore, even if your dose of UVA light is constant, the time for your treatment will vary from day to day. Treatments will be required 2-4 times each week until your skin disease has cleared. Less frequent treatment is necessary to maintain a clear state. [ PUVA Therapy]

Treatment Problems

Short-term Problems of PUVA Treatment
The immediate side-effects which arise during treatment are usually minor and easily managed. Side effects include: erythema (Redness and Burns), tanning, nausea, and itching (pruritus).

Potential Long-Term Problems of PUVA Treatment
PUVA treatment, just like ultraviolet light in sunlight, can have cumulative effects on the skin and eyes. Side effects can include: Skin Cancer, Cataracts, Freckles, Special Note About Pregnancy [PUVA Therapy Treatment Problems]

Skin Diseases Responsive to PUVA Therapy

Common Diseases:
Psoriasis, Eczema, Vitiligo, Mycosis fungoides, Lichen planus
Photodermatoses (sunlight sensitivity) Solar urticaria, Polymorphous light eruptions, Pruritus (itch) of any cause

Note: One source suggested using PUVA in the spring for hardening with Polymorphous light eruption. [Photodermatology]

Less Common Diseases:
Alopecia areata, Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis, Granuloma annulare, Graft-versus-host Disease, Morphea, Parapsoriasis, Pityriasis lichenoides, Pityriasis rosea, Polycythemia vera, Scleroderma, Transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grovers Disease)
Urticaria [PUVA Therapy Responsive Diseases]

Other links:

Excellent page on PUVA for patients: ANTRANIK BENOHANIAN MD, FRCP