PUVA-induced diminution of contact allergic and irritant skin reactions

A pilot study on the efficiency of treatment with 8‐methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet light (PUVA) on three patients with allergic contact dermatitis to nickel sulphate, potassium dichromate and to thiuram mix has been performed. Both the contact allergic reactions and the irritative skin reactions induced by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and tetrahydrofurfuryl nicotinate (Trafuril) were evaluated before and after PUVA. The total UV‐A doses were respectively 69–45 and 76J/cm2. These doses induced complete clearance of the eczematous lesions in two cases; the third case showed considerable improvement. In contrast to the pronounced skin reactions seen prior to PUVA, the allergic and irritative reactions evaluated after PUVA were decreased or negative.