ABSTRACT
Ultraviolet B (UVB) is one of the oldest therapeutic modalities for the treatment of psoriasis. Because of its long track record of safety and efficacy, UVB phototherapy continues to enjoy widespread use in spite of the development of many newer modalities for treating psoriasis, including biologic agents. This chapter discusses the entire spectrum of UVB phototherapy. Combining UVB phototherapy with various topical and systemic agents can also enhance UVB phototherapy. UVB phototherapy is contraindicated in patients who react badly to light, either because of medication they are taking or because of an underlying photosensitive disease. UVB phototherapy is contraindicated in patients with photosensitizing diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or polymorphous light eruption, unless the phototherapy is specifically used to harden the skin as a therapeutic strategy in patients with such conditions. Day treatment programs can be viewed as the ultimate attempt short of hospitalization to maximize the efficacy of UVB phototherapy.
