Psoriasis: General principles for phototherapy
- All patients who are considered for treatment with phototherapy or photochemotherapy must have a complete history and physical examination.
- Patients with a known history of lupus erythematosus or xeroderma pigmentosum should not be treated with phototherapy or photochemotherapy.
- Patients with a history of a photosensitivity disorder, taking photosensitizing medications, with a history of melanoma, with atypical nevi, with multiple risk factors for melanoma, with multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers, or who are immunosuppressed as a result of organ transplantation should be screened carefully before initiating phototherapy or photochemotherapy.
- They should also be advised that adherence to their follow-up visits is imperative to obtaining maximal results.
- Office phototherapy and photochemotherapy should be performed under the direction of a dermatologist with the appropriate training and expertise.
- Experts recommend that patients be examined approximately once a month or more often if necessary, although specific data on the frequency of evaluations during phototherapy or photochemotherapy are lacking.
- Each patient’s treatment should be closely monitored by a nurse or phototherapy technician with proper training, and any abnormal findings should be transmitted to the treating dermatologist.
- All phototherapy equipment should be maintained and regularly calibrated by appropriately trained personnel.
- Accurate records of the dosage and number of treatments along with any side effects should be maintained for every patient.