ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes important study data regarding the treatment of atopic eczema (AE) and reviews therapeutic options. A number of subsequent studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of sunlight exposure and photo therapy in AE. Several broadband Ultraviolet (UV) spectra and combined treatment modalities, such as salt-water baths plus UVB, and psoralen and UV light, have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AE. In a randomized, half-side comparison study of severe, chronic AE comparing NB-UVB with bath PUVA, Der-Petrossian et al. determined the two modalities to be equally effective when given in erythemogenic doses. Given that most patients with AE are young, there have been a number of concerns regarding the widespread use of phototherapy and photochemotherapy, especially with regard to the possible risk of carcinogenicity and premature aging with longterm treatment. More common adverse effects associated with photo(chemo)therapy include skin burning and premature skin aging, which again tend to be worse with PUVA.
