Short-wave ultraviolet light (UVB) treatment of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands

7 out of 10 patients with long-standing allergic contact dermatitis of their hands were successfully treated with short-wave ultraviolet light (UVB) and the contact dermatitis healed completely. To maintain this result they had to receive UVB therapy regularly once a week. The last 3 patients also showed improvement, but they had periods with vesiculation during the treatment. UVB treatment seems to be a valuable supplement for the treatment of contact dermatitis.