ABSTRACT
Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is widely used in the treatment of a variety of skin diseases. This chapter presents a general overview of the specific treatment modalities and indications for UVB phototherapy in dermatologic disease. Special attention should be paid to responses to sun exposure and/or artificial ultraviolet light, possible photosensitivity reactions, signs or symptoms of lupus erythematosus, and a history of cutaneous neoplasms. The ultraviolet lamps used in phototherapy are generally of two types: medium-pressure mercury arc lamps with or without metal halides and fluorescent lamps with several types of phosphor coating of the lamp envelope. The patient must be adequately protected against electrical hazards and from direct contact with the heated lamps. Determining the patient's minimal erythema dose is the first step in establishing appropriate dosage. Topical corticosteroids are used frequently in conjunction with UVB phototherapy, but there is no consensus, as whether they enhance the therapeutic response to UVB.
