SKIN CARE: TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS
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More recently a relatively new treatment for psoriasis, known as PUVA has been tried. This involves the taking of a photosensitizing drug, Methoxsalen, and following this by exposure to long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) at 365 nm. This drug is thought to unite with DNA, forming cross linkages and hence reducing epidermal cell turnover. The treatment is usually given two or three times a week initially, and must be maintained from time to time. The advantages of this treatment are that it is usually very effective and has the bonus of providing the patient with a tan. The disadvantages, however, are that serious burns may result if the dosage is incorrect or if the patient does not protect himself from sunlight for eight to ten hours after taking the treatment. Furthermore cataracts have been reported in animals undergoing this type of treatment, and therefore patients must wear suitable goggles for treatment and for at least eight hours after treatment. More important still, it now appears that patients who have received this treatment for some period of time, particularly those who are also exposed to moderately large amounts of normal sunlight, are much more prone to developing skin cancers. Unfortunately these cancers are not always the relatively benign basal cell carcinomas, but are more commonly the malignant squamous cell carcinoma or even melanoma.
On a brighter note it is worth remembering that research la progressing and new treatments are being developed. One of the more exciting drug groups currently being investigated are the ‘retinoids’, which are based on vitamin A; these may have a great future.
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