Anthralin minute entire skin treatment. A new outpatient therapy for psoriasis

Anthralin minute entire skin treatment (AMEST) was developed to improve the efficacy and cosmetic results of anthralin short-contact therapy. In a split comparison study to determine the optimal period of anthralin application, ten minutes of anthralin contact time gave maximum antipsoriatic activity with minimal side effects. Dosimetry variables for AMEST were determined based on the patient's pigmentation type, the erythematous response, the therapeutic effect, and so on. Such treatment of 43 patients resulted in complete clearing in 31 patients (72%), with 90% improvement in two patients (5%) and less than 90% clearing in seven patients (16%). Psoriatic lesions disappeared, leaving no spotty pigmentation that is known to occur following conventional anthralin therapy. The dosimetry variables employed in our study allowed AMEST with minimal skin irritation. Laboratory values did not change significantly during therapy. In addition, AMEST does not involve systemic medication and is easy to perform without special equipment; therefore, it is economic and can be used for outpatients and probably for home treatment.