PUVA treatment in Cardiff, South Wales and across the UK.

PUVA is a combination treatment consisting of taking a photosensitising drug called Psolaren ( P) and exposing the temporarily sensitised skin to long wavelength artificially produced UVA  light, hence the term PUVA.

PUVA is an excellent treatment for a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo.

How is PUVA treatment given ?

There are 3 ways in which PUVA treatment is given.

Oral PUVA

Psolaren tablets are taken two hours before exposure to UVA light.

Topical PUVA

This is used to treat small areas of your body such as the hands and feet. Psolaren is applied as a gel or lotion to the affected area 15 minutes before UVA treatment is given. Topical PUVA treatment is administered twice a week. The phototherapist nurse will either paint your hands or feet with gel or soak your hands or feet in a bowl of water to which psolaren solution has been added. After a period of 15- 30 minutes your hands and / or feet are positioned and an initial dose of UVA is given.

Bath PUVA

This treatment involves soaking in a bath of water for 10 minutes to which psolaren solution has been added before exposure to UVA light. PUVA is an excellent treatment for a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo.