title: Effectiveness and safety of topical emollients in the treatment of PUVA-induced pruritus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we tried to assess the efficacy of topical emollients in the treatment of patients with PUVA-induced pruritus.
  
  
  METHODS
  41 patients over 18 years of age, who received PUVA treatment in the phototherapy unit, were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group I was administered with a 4% urea lotion and Group II was administered with liquid petrolatum. The follow-up period was minimum 4 weeks. During the first 2 weeks, patients were administered topical emollients and received PUVA treatment together. The next 2 weeks, they continued PUVA treatment without any medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When time-dependent changes in the visual analogue scale scores for pruritus of both groups were considered, both treatment methods were found to be remarkably successful (p < 0.0001). In addition, an insignificant group-time interaction was identified (p = 0.753).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical emollients were found to be effective in the treatment of PUVA-induced pruritus. Both forms of medication can be successfully administered and increase the patient's compliance with medication.
authors.affiliation: Harran University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Enver
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.forename: Mehmet Salih
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gurel
authors.forename: Asli Turgut
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Erdemir
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Usta
authors.forename: Nurdan Seda
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Kutlu
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yurt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004643:Emollients / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014508:Urea / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D008899:Mineral Oil; D014508:Urea