Narrow-band UVB (TL-01) phototherapy: an effective preventative treatment for the photodermatoses. 1995

P Collins, and J Ferguson
Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, U.K.

Twenty patients with photodermatoses [actinic prurigo (n = 6), hydroa vacciniforme (n = 4), idiopathic solar urticaria (n = 1), amiodarone-induced photosensitivity (n = 1) and a range of cutaneous porphyrias (n = 8)] were treated with a 'hardening' course of narrow-band ultraviolet B (TL-01) phototherapy in springtime. The response to phototherapy was monitored subjectively, by interviewing patients after the summer, and objectively by monochromator phototesting, before and after phototherapy. Fifteen patients reported that treatment was worthwhile. Monochromator phototesting after phototherapy revealed a fourfold increase in the minimal erythema dose in those with abnormal photosensitivity to ultraviolet A wavebands. Adverse effects included erythema (seven patients), pruritus (five) and provocation of the eruption (four). We now routinely consider narrow-band UVB phototherapy for problem photodermatoses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010787 Photosensitivity Disorders Abnormal responses to sunlight or artificial light due to extreme reactivity of light-absorbing molecules in tissues. It refers almost exclusively to skin photosensitivity, including sunburn, reactions due to repeated prolonged exposure in the absence of photosensitizing factors, and reactions requiring photosensitizing factors such as photosensitizing agents and certain diseases. With restricted reference to skin tissue, it does not include photosensitivity of the eye to light, as in photophobia or photosensitive epilepsy. Actinic Reticuloid Syndrome,Dermatitis, Actinic,Photodermatitis,Chronic Actinic Dermatitis,Photosensitization,Actinic Dermatitides,Actinic Dermatitides, Chronic,Actinic Dermatitis,Actinic Dermatitis, Chronic,Actinic Reticuloid Syndromes,Chronic Actinic Dermatitides,Dermatitides, Actinic,Dermatitides, Chronic Actinic,Dermatitis, Chronic Actinic,Disorder, Photosensitivity,Disorders, Photosensitivity,Photodermatitides,Photosensitivity Disorder,Reticuloid Syndrome, Actinic,Reticuloid Syndromes, Actinic,Syndrome, Actinic Reticuloid,Syndromes, Actinic Reticuloid
D011536 Prurigo A name applied to several itchy skin eruptions of unknown cause. The characteristic course is the formation of a dome-shaped papule with a small transient vesicle on top, followed by crusting over or lichenification. (From Dorland, 27th ed)
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D004342 Drug Hypersensitivity Immunologically mediated adverse reactions to medicinal substances used legally or illegally. Allergy, Drug,Hypersensitivity, Drug,Drug Allergy,Allergies, Drug,Drug Allergies,Drug Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivities, Drug
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006837 Hydroa Vacciniforme A vesicular and bullous eruption having a tendency to recur in summer during childhood and commonly appearing on sun-exposed skin. The lesions are surrounded by an erythematous zone and resemble a vaccination. (From Dorland, 27th ed)
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths

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