title: Plasma exchange therapy for solar urticaria.
abstract: We report two cases of severe idiopathic solar urticaria treated with plasma exchange therapy. Previous treatment which included antihistamines and, in one patient, desensitization with psoralens and ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy produced only partial benefit. The effect of plasma exchange therapy was assessed using monochromator phototesting and intradermal injection of in vitro irradiated serum. One patient responded but relapsed within 2 weeks. We have failed to demonstrate a lasting benefit from plasma exchange therapy (PExT) in the treatment of two patients with idiopathic solar urticaria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, U.K.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahamat
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*