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Broad‐band UVB fiber‐optic comb for the treatment of scalp psoriasis: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Taneja Atul,
Racette Ashley,
Gourgouliatos Zafirios,
Taylor Charles R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.01993.x
Subject(s) - scalp , medicine , psoriasis , dermatology , erythema , sunburn , surgery
Background Scalp psoriasis is a frustrating condition with limited treatment options. Our objective was to test a new fiber‐optic broad‐band UVB comb device for the treatment of this condition. Methods Scalp psoriasis on adult subjects was treated three times a week for up to 12 weeks with a fiber‐optic UVB comb. A minimum 50‐cm 2 scalp area served as the control. Starting doses were based on the standard minimal erythema dose (MED) with increments up to 20% for subsequent treatments. Results Fourteen subjects completed the study without sunburn reactions or blisters. Treated sites showed a mean improvement in the modified PASI score of 3.6. The difference in the mean modified PASI scores between the control and treated sites was 3.9 (< 0.0001). Conclusions This fiber‐optic broad‐band UVB comb can safely and effectively treat scalp psoriasis.