UVB 308-nm excimer light and bath PUVA: combination therapy is very effective in the treatment of prurigo nodularis.

BACKGROUND: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with nodular itching lesions. UV therapy--both PUVA and NUVB--are known to clear up PN temporarily due to the antipruritic effect of UV light. However, relapse after treatment is common in PN, which means that either long-term therapy is necessary or the treatment protocols have to be optimized to minimize side-effects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect that combining bath PUVA and targeted UVB 308 nm excimer radiation has on recalcitrant nodular prurigo.

METHODS: In a prospective trial, 22 patients with PN were treated with either PUVA alone or with a combination of PUVA and excimer UVB. The end point was complete or almost complete remission of PN.

RESULTS: Adding a 308-nm excimer UVB to the treatment of the pruritic nodules sped up the healing process; 30% less PUVA radiation was needed.

CONCLUSION: The combination of PUVA and excimer UVB in PN appears to be very efficacious. Reducing psoralen UVA doses by 30% offered long-term benefits in phototherapy of chronic recalcitrant diseases like PN.