PUVA-therapy is a unique method of treating various skin diseases. Its essence lies in the combined effect on the skin of medicinal substances that have a plant origin (psoralenov (P) and long-wave soft ultraviolet rays.
Indications for PUVA therapy
Most often PUVA therapy is used for psoriasis of the feet and palms. This method of treatment effectively copes with this ailment, even if patients have failed to undergo the course of BUF-therapy. Treatment of psoriasis with PUVA-therapy can be carried out in cases when the person has a drop-shaped or persistent plaque form of this disease. During the procedures, the multiplication of cells that form the rash element is completely blocked, and eventually the development of plaques is suspended, and eventually they disappear.
Indications for this method of treatment are also atopic dermatitis and mushroom mycosis. PUVA-therapy is also recommended for vitiligo. It will be useful even to those patients whose disease has affected more than 20-30% of the skin.
PUVA therapy is not performed at home. All procedures are performed only on an outpatient basis (in a regular polyclinic or special centers for the treatment of skin diseases). Drugs taken orally, or applied topically, and after 2-3 hours affected by the disease sites are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The irradiation time is first a few minutes, but increases with each session. Most of the PUVA therapy consists of 10-30 sessions.
Contraindications to PUVA therapy
PUVA-therapy has a high efficiency (85%), and the first signs of regression of skin manifestations are visible after 4-6 procedures. This method of treatment is well tolerated by patients and is not addictive. However, not everyone can use it.
Contraindications to PUVA therapy are:
- hypersensitivity to psoralen;
- malignant melanoma;
- lupus erythematosus ;
- aphakia;
pigment xeroderma; - albinism;
- porphyria;
- pregnancy.
With caution apply this method to treat patients with light skin, cataracts, uremia and kidney failure. Also, do not use PUVA therapy for those who have suppressed immunity, or for someone who has had malignant tumors. Severe myocardial diseases and many other ailments that do not allow for a long time to stand, often prevent the passage of the full course of treatment.