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Phototherapy and other skin conditions

PostPosted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:15 pm
by Nick Balgowan
Other skin diseases
Psoriasis, which affects about 2% of Caucasians, and vitiligo, which affects a similar percentage of the dark and light-skinned population, are two examples of skin diseases which can be successfully treated with phototheraphy. But the list of skin diseases which can be treated with photochemotherapy is constantly growing.

Some other dermatoses responsive to photochemotherapy are parapsoriasis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (Sézary syndrome), mycosis fungoides, lichen planus, pityriasis lichenoides, pityriasis rosea, various types of eczema, polymorphous light eruption, furunculosis, folliculitis, indolent ulcers, prurigo and pruritis, etc. Most of these diseases have now been treated with narrowband UVB, although in a varying degree of effectiveness, which seem to be as good as PUVA.

It has also been stated that exposure to ultraviolet "light" causes an exacerbation or produces injurious effects in the following conditions: xeroderma pigmentosum, herpes simplex, lupus erythematosus, several types of eczema, prematurely senile skin, porphyria, the use of immunosuppressive medications (after kidney transplants) and Aids.