Atopic Dermatitis Knowledge Centre
Non-pharmacological treatments
Phototherapy
Phototherapy , the controlled use of ultraviolet (UV) light, may be used for the treatment of more severe or refractory atopic dermatitis.7 Two types of phototherapy are used to treat the condition; UV light therapy and chemophototherapy (also known as PUVA).
UV light therapy uses UVA, UVB or a combination of both, targeted to the affected skin areas. The most common UV light therapies are UVB based, and can either be broadband (280–320 nm) given as 3–5 treatments per week, or narrowband (monochromatic UV light around 311 nm) usually administered over 2–3 treatments per week. UV phototherapy has been shown to be effective in a large number of atopic dermatitis patients, however, due to the underlying risk of premature ageing and skin malignancies, its long-term use must be considered with caution.
Chemophototherapy combines medication with UV light therapy (PUVA stands for psoralen + UVA).8 Prior to UVA exposure, patients are treated with psoralen (topically or orally), which makes the skin more sensitive to UVA rays. A series of treatments is typically required and a full course of treatment may take six months.
Phototherapy is not appropriate for all atopic dermatitis cases as, in some cases, it can exacerbate the severity of the condition. It is not recommended for patients whose skin are prone to flares when exposed to sunlight or for those who develop sun-induced allergic reactions. The decision to use phototherapy must take a number of factors into consideration, including the patient’s age, their general state of health, the severity of their condition, and history of previous treatments.
© February 2010 Astellas Pharma Europe LTD.
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The Atopic Dermatitis Knowledge centre contained within www.epgonline.org and available at www.atopicdermatitisinfo.org is intended to be for educational use only and not designed to provide medical advice or professional services.