What is psoralen used for?

What is psoralen used for?

Psoralens are a group of photosensitizing drugs which are ineffective when used alone, but in combination with UVR provide an effective tool for the treatment of psoriasis and a number of other photoresponsive skin disorders e.g. vitiligo and mycosis fungoides.

What is PUVA treatment for psoriasis?

PUVA is a combination of psoralen (P) and long-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVA) that is used to treat psoriasis and some other several severe skin conditions. Psoralen is a drug taken by mouth that makes the skin disease more sensitive to ultraviolet light.

What does PUVA stand for?

PUVA is the acronym for Psoralen + ultraviolet light A. PUVA is a type of phototherapy used in treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Treatment requires the patient to ingest a light-sensitizing medication called psoralen before being exposed to UVA rays.

Which foods contain psoralen?

Psoralens are natural products found in plants such as limes and lemons, celery, bergamot, parsley, figs, and cloves.

What type of drug is psoralen?

Psoralen is a light-sensitive drug that absorbs ultraviolet (long wave – UVA) light and acts like ultraviolet radiation. Psoralens are used together with ultraviolet light (PUVA therapy) to treat skin conditions such as vitiligo, eczema, psoriasis and skin problems related to certain lymphomas.

Is Photochemotherapy chemotherapy?

11.10 UVB phototherapy, psoralen plus UVA photochemotherapy (PUVA) For treating psoriasis, UVB phototherapy and PUVA are effective treatments that permit rapid control of the disease, but their side effects are similar to those of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

What foods contain psoralens?

Is PUVA treatment safe?

PUVA treatment is a very effective and safe treatment option for patients whose psoriasis is not well controlled on topical therapies alone. PUVA may also be a viable option for patients who have failed UVB therapy.

Does PUVA give you a tan?

PUVA usually leads to tanning of the skin. This will fade over a month or two after finishing PUVA treatment. Although the skin appears well tanned it may still burn easily in the sun.

Is vitiligo an illness?

Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The discolored areas usually get bigger with time. The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth.

Do oranges contain psoralens?

Citrus products are rich sources of psoralens, a group of naturally occurring furocoumarins (furanocoumarins). Psoralen-containing sunscreen users also had a substantially increased risk of melanoma as compared with regular sunscreen users.