PUVA Therapy

PUVA therapy uses a combination of plant-derived chemicals (Psoralen) and UVA light to treat disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema. The combination of psoralen and UVA light that is utilized in PUVA therapy causes skin cells to divide less rapidly. This is an effective treatment for these skin disorders because part of the pathogenic process of these disorders is an increase in the rate of cell division. By reducing the rate of cell division, symptoms of skin disorders are eased, and progression can be slowed down.

During PUVA therapy a patient can be exposed to ultraviolet light in one of two ways, depending on the type of skin condition he or she has. If the skin condition affects the hands and feet only, the patient is treated with a topical psoralen cream that is applied to those specific areas. The patient then sits in a chair and places his or her hands and feet in small UVA light boxes. If the skin condition affects other parts of the body, the patient is given oral psoralens and is treated with UVA light by sitting inside a large light box that allows full-body exposure.