Foil bath PUVA in the treatment of prurigo simplex subacuta

Prurigo simplex subacuta is a chronic pruritic condition of unknown aetiology. The skin lesions respond to topical corticosteroids, UV-A and UV-B therapy only to a limited degree. Ten patients suffering from prurigo simplex subacuta were treated with foil bath PUVA at a concentration of 0.5 mg 8-methoxypsoralen/l. Using the foil bath method the volume of the psoralen/bath-water solution is restricted to 10 l with the aid of polyethylene foil. The group required a median of 13 (95% CI: 9-19) baths for clearance. The total UV-A dose for the whole group was 19 (95% CI:5-30) J/cm2. Bath PUVA is a safe and well-tolerated therapy in the treatment of prurigo simplex subacuta.