title: Guidelines for bath PUVA, bathing suit PUVA and soak PUVA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of these guidelines is to encourage dermatologists to use bath psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), bathing suit PUVA and soak PUVA in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and other conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evidence was collected using searches of the PubMed, MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases using the keywords "bath PUVA," "soak PUVA," "bathing suit PUVA" and "turban PUVA." Only publications in English were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and thirty-eight studies were evaluated, 57 of which fulfilled the criteria for inclusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both bath PUVA and bathing suit PUVA are very effective and safe treatments for generalized stable plaque psoriasis (strength of recommendation, A). Soak PUVA is very effective in the treatment of both palmoplantar psoriasis and chronic palmoplantar eczema (strength of recommendation, A).
authors.forename: Sathish B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shricharith
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D001494:Baths / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*