For which skin conditions is light therapy an option?

Frequently for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, chronic hand and foot eczema, sun allergies and certain forms of itching. We decide whether it is suitable for you after a medical examination.

PUVA stands for pretreatment with a photosensitising agent (psoralen) followed by UVA irradiation. It is given as bath PUVA (the agent in the bath water) or as cream PUVA (the affected areas are rubbed with cream). You will find the procedure, time windows and rules for the treatment day on the PUVA therapy page.

How often and for how long do I have to come for treatment?

That depends on the method and the condition: UVB usually three to five times, PUVA in the initial phase about four times per week. The total duration is often 6–8 weeks for psoriasis, for example, and varies from person to person.

What do I need to be mindful of during the therapy?

Wear the UV-protective goggles, protect the treated areas consistently from light after a PUVA, report any new medication and avoid perfumed cosmetics beforehand. You must not be pregnant during PUVA therapy.

Does health insurance cover the costs?

That depends on the method and the diagnosis. Balneophototherapy is as a rule reimbursed by private health insurers, and by statutory health insurers currently only for the diagnosis of psoriasis. We clarify the specific scope with you.

Light therapy (phototherapy)

For psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and chronic hand and foot eczema we treat with UVB, UVA/UVB or PUVA, depending on the findings, as whole-body or as targeted irradiation.

Overview

Many skin conditions can be treated with a suitable light therapy (phototherapy), depending on the findings: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis), chronic hand and foot eczema or sun allergies, for example. In our practice we use whole-body irradiation units as well as devices for targeted irradiation of the hand and foot region.

We also have a bathing department for outpatient balneophototherapy (bath-salt-light therapy) and bath PUVA therapy. Which method is suitable for you is determined after a medical examination and indication assessment.

Topics in this section

PUVA therapy (bath PUVA and cream PUVA)PUVA combines pretreating the skin with a photosensitising agent and subsequent UVA irradiation. We carry it out mainly as bath PUVA and as cream PUVA. Here you find the procedure and the rules that apply on every treatment day.Learn more →UVA/UVB combination therapyFor atopic dermatitis and certain forms of itching we use combined UVA and UVB irradiation. A photosensitising agent as in PUVA is not needed for this.Learn more →UVB therapy (partial- or whole-body irradiation)UVB irradiation is one of the established light therapies for psoriasis. We irradiate the whole body or only the hands and feet; where useful, the treatment is combined with topically applied active substances or with brine baths.Learn more →

Areas of application

Psoriasis
Atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis)
Chronic hand and foot eczema
Sun allergies (e.g. polymorphic light eruption)
Certain forms of persistent itching (pruritus)
Further suitable inflammatory skin conditions after medical assessment

Procedure

Medical indication assessment and dose planning
First we assess which method is suitable for your condition. The irradiation dose is set individually and increased under medical supervision at regular intervals.
UVB therapy (narrowband / selective)
UVB therapy uses the short-wave component of UV light, is given as partial-body or whole-body irradiation and is frequently used for psoriasis; the spectrum, treatment rhythm and combination options (e.g. brine baths) are described on the UVB therapy page.
UVA/UVB combination
Combined UVA and UVB irradiation has proven itself for atopic dermatitis and certain forms of itching and requires no photosensitising agent; you will find more on the UVA/UVB combination therapy page.
PUVA (photochemotherapy)
In PUVA the skin is pretreated with a photosensitising agent (psoralen), as a bath (bath PUVA) or as a cream (cream PUVA), and then irradiated with long-wave UVA light; because the skin remains sensitive to light for hours afterwards, fixed rules apply on the treatment day, which you will find together with the procedure on the PUVA therapy page.

What to expect

The irradiation dose is set by the doctor and increased step by step.
Frequency depending on the method: UVB usually 3–5×, PUVA initially about 4× per week.
How long the treatment lasts depends on the condition (about 6–8 weeks for psoriasis, for example) and varies from person to person.
During each irradiation you wear UV-protective goggles.
Once the course is complete, we recommend regular long-term dermatological check-ups.
Cost reimbursement for balneophototherapy: as a rule by private health insurers, and by statutory health insurers currently only for the diagnosis of psoriasis. We will discuss the details with you.

Risks & notes

After a PUVA treatment the treated areas are more sensitive to light for at least 4 hours; they must be consistently protected from UV radiation.
UV therapies can increase the risk of skin cancer in the long term. The dose is therefore controlled and limited by the doctor; in the whole-body cabin the genitals are covered in men.
The most common acute side effect is a sunburn-like reddening. If the dose is too high, stronger reactions up to blistering are possible, particularly with PUVA. In the long term, UV light can also make the skin age prematurely.
Not suitable for everyone: with certain light-sensitive conditions (e.g. lupus erythematosus, porphyria), an increased risk of skin cancer or a very fair, UV-sensitive skin type, we assess suitability before the treatment begins.
If psoralen is exceptionally taken as a tablet (systemic PUVA), UV-protective goggles have to be worn all day on the treatment day; we primarily use bath and cream PUVA, where this effect is smaller.
Certain medicines (e.g. some antibiotics, blood pressure or sedative medication, St John's wort) increase sensitivity to light. Please tell us about every preparation you are taking.
You must not be pregnant during PUVA therapy; please inform us immediately if you become pregnant, and also if you are breastfeeding.
Before the treatment, do not apply any sun-protection products or perfumed cosmetics (perfume, soap, aftershave) to the skin.

Our light therapy procedures

UVA and UVB whole-body phototherapy
Photochemotherapy (PUVA therapy)
UVA, UVB and PUVA hand and foot irradiation
Balneophototherapy (bath-salt-light therapy)
Bath PUVA therapy

Frequently asked questions

For which skin conditions is light therapy an option?: Frequently for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, chronic hand and foot eczema, sun allergies and certain forms of itching. We decide whether it is suitable for you after a medical examination.
What does PUVA mean?: PUVA stands for pretreatment with a photosensitising agent (psoralen) followed by UVA irradiation. It is given as bath PUVA (the agent in the bath water) or as cream PUVA (the affected areas are rubbed with cream). You will find the procedure, time windows and rules for the treatment day on the PUVA therapy page.
How often and for how long do I have to come for treatment?: That depends on the method and the condition: UVB usually three to five times, PUVA in the initial phase about four times per week. The total duration is often 6–8 weeks for psoriasis, for example, and varies from person to person.
What do I need to be mindful of during the therapy?: Wear the UV-protective goggles, protect the treated areas consistently from light after a PUVA, report any new medication and avoid perfumed cosmetics beforehand. You must not be pregnant during PUVA therapy.
Does health insurance cover the costs?: That depends on the method and the diagnosis. Balneophototherapy is as a rule reimbursed by private health insurers, and by statutory health insurers currently only for the diagnosis of psoriasis. We clarify the specific scope with you.