You have been prescribed treatment with UV-A light (PUVA) from a doctor at Department of Dermatology, Clinic 1.

The treatment will take place at Gentofte Hospital, Gentofte Hospitalsvej 15, at the ground floor.

The treatment is normally prescribed three times a week, for at least 6 weeks and approximately 3 months.

PUVA

PUVA stands for Psoralen UltraViolet A-light. Psoralen is a medical drug, also called Melandinine or Oxoralen, that increases the skins sensitivity towards sunlight.

Ultraviolet light is part of normal sunshine and can be divided into two categories: Longwave UV-A light and shortwave UV-B light. The Psoralen tablets increase the skins sensibility.

The PUVA-treatment is effective on several skin diseases that can otherwise be difficult to treat, and the effect is often long-lasting.

This treatment is not recommended for smaller children, pregnant women or women who breast-feed.

About the treatment

The treatment will take place in a cabin, where you will stand upright. The treatment will begin slowly with only a few seconds in the beginning and will slowly increase if you tolerate the treatment well. It is essential that you can stand without help up to ten minutes at a time.

The nurse will administer the dosage according to the department’s guidelines.

You will have to schedule appointments with the nurse who is responsible for your treatment. You will get fixed appointments.

You will see a doctor halfway through your treatments, so that he/she can evaluate the progress and decide if you should continue the treatment. The doctor appointment will as far as possible be coordinated with your treatment appointments.

Psoralen increases the skins sensitivity significantly, so that’s why the treatment is required to take place at a hospital or a dermatological practice. It can be dangerous to experiment with the treatment, because it can result in burns. It is our experience that it can take several weeks for the treatment to work.

How to take the tablets?

You should take the Psoralen tablets 1 hour before the PUVA treatment. You can take the tablets with a glass of milk or a small meal as it can prevent the feeling of nausea. The tablets can cause nausea and dizziness especially in the beginning of the treatment.

The tablets should be swallowed whole, and it is important to take them in the same way every time, so that the absorption of the drug is the same and you avoid burns.

The dosage depends on your weight. The doctor will tell you the dosage. You will get Psoralen tablets from the clinic for the whole treatment period, in little amounts at a time. Please tell the nurse if you’re about to run out.

Protection of the eyes

You will also experience sensitivity of the eyes, so it is important that you protect your eyes with a special pair of glasses. Please put on the glasses when you take the tablets and keep them on until bedtime/nightfall. You will have to wear the glasses both when indoor and outdoor. You will get a pair of glasses from the nurse. During treatment you will also get a pair of solariumglasses that you need to wear during the treatment.

Risk of treatment

When you get UV-treatment there is an increased risk of skin cancer. The more sunlight and light treatment you get during your life, the bigger the risk is of developing skin cancer. If you get light-treatment throughout longer periods of time, the side effects can be wrinkles and general ageing of the skin. We will recommend that you cover your face during treatment unless there is a need for treatment in the facial areal.

There is always a risk of burns despite careful light dosage.

After the treatment

Use moisturizer

The PUVA-treatment dries out the skin, so it is important that you use moisturizer after every treatment and on treatment-free days.

Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen

It is important to avoid sunlight while getting the treatment. It is important that you are careful with the sun on your way to and from treatment. If you can’t avoid the sun, please use sunscreen (SPF 40-50) or clothes like a hat or cap for protection.

Things to remember:

• Use the glasses that are given to you by the personnel, after you take the tablets and keep them on for the rest of the day.
• We recommend that men cover their genitals while in treatment.
• Use plenty of moisturizer.
• Avoid treatment with PUVA if you are pregnant or wish to be pregnant.
• Avoid sunlight and solarium throughout the treatment period.
• Remember to contact us if you’re late for treatment or if you wish to cancel an appointment.