What is PUVA Treatment

PUVA stands for psoralen and ultraviolet A. Psoralen is medicine that makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. UVA light is a form of light that is found naturally in sunlight.

UVA light can also be produced by fluorescent light bulbs such as the bulbs that are found in tanning booths. PUVA treatment involves taking psoralen and then exposing the skin to UVA light.

PUVA treatment may be used for psoriasis or other skin diseases that cause skin cells to grow faster than normal. This treatment helps to slow down the skin growth and improves the skin. In many cases, the treatment is given two or three times a week.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Nausea.
• Itching.
• Excessive aging of the skin.
• Burns, if you are exposed to too much UVA light.
• Skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) from exposure to UVA light. This is a common type of skin cancer that is usually treatable with minor surgery. The risk of a more serious type of skin cancer (melanoma) may also be increased, but the risk is greatest in people who have received at least 150 PUVA treatments.
• Cataracts. Wearing goggles during treatment and wearing UV-blocking sunglasses when you are outdoors reduces this risk.

What happens before the procedure?

• Take the psoralen medicine as told by your health care provider. The medicine is usually taken with food or milk 2 hours before the UVA light treatment. This gives the sensitizing medicine time to take effect.

What happens during the procedure?

• You will have complete privacy during the treatment.
• You will apply safflower oil or another moisturizer to the skin in the areas of your body that are being treated.
• Covers will be provided to cover private areas.
• You will be given goggles to wear during the entire treatment. If possible, you should keep your eyes closed as well.
• Treatments will be done in a full-body machine or in a hand and foot machine. This will depend on which parts of the body need treatment. The machines are lined with fluorescent light bulbs. It is important not to touch or come near the light bulbs. There will be a support bar for you to hold onto throughout the treatment.
• To help you adjust to the light treatment gradually and to avoid sunburn, treatments will begin with small doses of light for just a few seconds. Over time, the length of treatments will be increased.
• You may need to raise your arms part of the time to expose the underarms.
• You may need to keep your legs apart.
• You will be able to press a “hold” button if you feel dizzy, feel burning of the skin, or need help. This will stop the treatment and let the health care provider know that you need help.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• You will need to avoid exposing your skin to sunlight for the next 24 hours.
• You will need to wear UVA-absorbing goggles for 24 hours.
• Return to your normal activities as directed by your health care provider.

PUVA Treatment, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Tanning or darkening of the skin.
• Itching.

Follow these instructions at home:

• After each treatment, avoid exposing your skin to sunlight for 24 hours. Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible.
• After each treatment, wear your UVA goggles for 24 hours. These goggles are needed to protect your eyes from ultraviolet A (UVA) light exposure. This protection may help to prevent cataracts.
• Wear protective clothes and sunscreen when you are outdoors.
• Continue your other skin care treatments at home as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have redness or burning of the skin.
• You have nausea or vomiting.