Harry C. Goldberg
DOI: 10.2340/0001555592119120

PUVA is an acronym which stands for the use or Psoralen as a photo-sensitizer for patients exposed to ultra­violet light type A (320-400 nm). Such use was brought to worldwide attention by Parrish et al. in 1974. Its deserved popularity is warranted by a remarkable improvement in over 85% of psoriatic patients. It was expected that PUVA would be tried for many skin conditions. Good results have also been claimed in atopic dermatitis (AD), mycosis fungoides, alopecia areata, prurigo, parapsoriasis, and urticaria pigmentosa. This paper represents a compilation or the reports from several PUVA treatment centers in the USA concerning AD. The reason for the improvement in these skin conditions which vary considerably in their etiology and histo-pathology, remains to be explained.