Medicus, Vol. 16 No. 1_Dermatologija, 2007.
Review article
Fototherapy in Dermatology
Romana Čeović
Abstract
Phototherapy is the treatment of skin diseases
by means of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, UV
light, with or without the addition of photoactive drugs. Once
absorbed, energy in the UV and visible portions of the electromagnetic
spectrum causes specifi c molecules to attain a state
of electronic excitation. In this state, molecules are capable of
undergoing chemical reactions. It is the photochemistry that is
the basis for most therapies using UV radiation. PUVA photochemotherapy
is a combination therapy of psoralen and long-wave
UV radiation (UVA: 320-400). Psoralens may be applied topically
or can be used orally. Basic principles, indications and combinations
of phototherapy (UVB) and photochemotherapy (PUVA) are
discussed in this article.
Keywords
phototherapy; photochemotherapy (PUVA); psoralens
Hrčak ID:
23266
URI
Publication date:
25.1.2007.
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