UVB 308-nm excimer light and bath PUVA: combination therapy is very effective in the treatment of prurigo nodularis.
BACKGROUND
Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with nodular itching lesions. UV therapy--both PUVA and NUVB--are known to clear up PN temporarily due to the antipruritic effect of UV light. However, relapse after treatment is common in PN, which means that either long-term therapy is necessary or the treatment protocols have to be optimized to minimize side-effects.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect that combining bath PUVA and targeted UVB 308 nm excimer radiation has on recalcitrant nodular prurigo.


METHODS
In a prospective trial, 22 patients with PN were treated with either PUVA alone or with a combination of PUVA and excimer UVB. The end point was complete or almost complete remission of PN.


RESULTS
Adding a 308-nm excimer UVB to the treatment of the pruritic nodules sped up the healing process; 30% less PUVA radiation was needed.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of PUVA and excimer UVB in PN appears to be very efficacious. Reducing psoralen UVA doses by 30% offered long-term benefits in phototherapy of chronic recalcitrant diseases like PN.
Laserklinik Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.
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S
Hammes
J
J
Hermann
S
S
Roos
H M
HM
Ockenfels
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011536:Prurigo / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays