Comparison of PUVA and beta-carotene in the treatment of polymorphous light eruption

Therapy with oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) and oral beta-carotene was compared in 29 patients with polymorphous light eruption. Complete remission occurred in 90% (9/10) of those treated with PUVA and in 32% (6/19) treated with beta-carotene. In the six patients who were treated in consecutive years with both modalities all had remissions with PUVA while only two had remissions with beta-carotene.