What is PUVA therapy for vitiligo?

PUVA or photochemotherapy is a type of ultraviolet radiation treatment (phototherapy) used for severe skin diseases. PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to UVA (long wave ultraviolet radiation). It has been available in its present form since 1976.

What is PUVA light?

PUVA is a combination of psoralen (P) and long-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVA) that is used to treat psoriasis and some other several severe skin conditions. Psoralen is a drug taken by mouth that makes the skin disease more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

What is topical PUVA?

Topical PUVA therapy is a treatment in which a medication called psoralen (P) is applied to the skin before exposure of the skin to ultraviolet A (UVA) wavelengths of light. The psoralen can be applied in a variety of ways: Bathing the whole body in psoralen solution.

Is PUVA better than UVB?

In addition, UVB was better tolerated than PUVA. All patients experienced similar degrees of relapse within 4 months regardless of treatment. This is the second randomized, controlled trial in which NB-UVB was found to be significantly more effective than PUVA.

What are PUVA treatments?

PUVA is a combination treatment consisting of taking a drug PSORALEN (P) and then exposing the skin to long-wave ultra- violet light (UVA) – hence the term PUVA. Psoralen is a drug that makes the skin temporarily sensitive to UVA. It may be taken as pills by mouth or by applying it directly to the skin.

What is PUVA full form?

PUVA is the acronym for Psoralen + ultraviolet light A. PUVA is a type of phototherapy used in treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Treatment requires the patient to ingest a light-sensitizing medication called psoralen before being exposed to UVA rays.

Does PUVA give you a tan?

PUVA usually leads to tanning of the skin. This will fade over a month or two after finishing PUVA treatment. Although the skin appears well tanned it may still burn easily in the sun.

How is PUVA done?

What is it typically treated with PUVA or NB UVB?

The main indication for NB-UVB and PUVA therapies is psoriasis, and other key diagnoses include atopic eczema, vitiligo, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), and the photodermatoses. The decision on choice of phototherapy is important and NB-UVB is usually the primary choice.

What is UVB and PUVA therapy?

Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, or phototherapy, is one of the most widely used skin-directed therapies for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). UVA and UVB are wavelengths of light found in natural sunlight, and are used for phototherapy.

What treatments are available for vitiligo?

How do dermatologists treat vitiligo?

• No medical treatment (use cosmetics to camouflage lost color) Cosmetic options include makeup, self-tanners, and skin dyes.
• Medicine applied to the skin.
• Light treatment.
• PUVA light therapy.
• Surgery.
• Unconventional treatment.
• Depigmentation.

How is PUVA administered?

It may be taken as pills by mouth or by applying it directly to the skin. The ultra-violet light is emitted by special fluorescent light tubes. These are only available in certain hospitals so patients have to travel to hospital for PUVA treatment, usually twice weekly.