Safety and efficacy of phototherapy in the management of eczema

Patrizi A, Raone B, Ravaoli G

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;996:319-331.

First-line therapy options include topical emollients, such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, and environmental measures. When this does prove to be effective, phototherapy is a back up treatment option. Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) and narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) have proven to be the most effective phototherapy treatment options, respectively for acute and chronic eczema. However, no guidelines have been realized concerning the use of phototherapy for atopic dermatitis as no one light form has proven to be more effective over the others.