PUVA is a type of ultraviolet radiation treatment which is trained on the areas of the skin affected by vitiligo. It can also be used for the treatment of other severe skin diseases. This treatment method makes use of psoralens, after which the skin will be exposed to ultraviolet radiation. PUVA is relatively safe for vitiligo patients and it can also be performed at home, as long as it is carried out in the manner prescribed by a medical professional.
PUVA essentially means the administration of phenylalanine, or “Phe”in combination with exposure to UVA. In studies, significant repigmentation has been observed in hypopigmented macules, and patients have also become more tolerant to sun exposure after PUVA treatment.
Disadvantages of PUVA treatment for vitiligo:
This high-tech treatment, although effective, has its share of disadvantages:
- The treatments are very expensive, and not all vitiligo patients may be able to afford it and finish the series of treatments;
- There must be regular visits to the clinic for PUVA treatment to be effective;
- It is more time-consuming when compared to the other treatments;
- This treatment should not be done on children below the age of 12;
- This treatment cannot be carried out on patients who have fair skin, as they are more prone to developing skin cancer.
Side effects of PUVA:
There are many side effects associated with this type of treatment. Some of them are:
Burning:
A burning sensation will be felt as a result of an overdose of PUVA. This will be experienced more by people who have fair skin. The burning sensation will be felt for about 48 to 72 hours. It will be experienced after the first up to the third treatment. In addition, while undergoing this treatment, sensitive areas like the breast and the buttocks should be covered.
Itching:
After the treatment, a temporary itching will be experienced and the skin will become dry. To avoid this, a moisturizer such as lotions can be applied.
Nausea:
Nausea is a type of side effect which will be experienced by people who have undergone treatment with psoralens. If you start experiencing this, immediately inform the doctor or nurse about it.
Tanning:
This treatment will generally lead to tanning, particularly in the last month of the treatment. Tanning is a browning of the skin, and this results after PUVA treatment where precautionary measures are not strictly observed.
Eye damage:
Keratitis may affect the eyes if they are not properly covered during the treatment sessions. Cataracts may also develop after PUVA treatment.
Treatment procedure:
In this treatment, the nurse or the doctor will apply the psoralen cream to the patient 30 minutes before exposure to ultraviolet radiation. After the application, the patient will be asked to stand in a cubicle which is lined with UVA lights. The skin is then exposed to these lights for a specified period. At this point, the skin will turn pink, after which the exposure to UVA will be increased to turn this pink coloration into the patient’s normal skin color.
