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  For severe or disabling psoriasis that doesn't respond to ultraviolet B treatment (that I discussed in my previous article), PUVA therapy may be considered. This is short for psoralen ultraviolet light type A treatment. Here, long-wave ultraviolet light is used in combination with an oral medication called psoralen to enhance the skin's sensitivity to type A light. Ideal candidates are those who have large psoriatic plaques that affect 30 percent or more of the body. Elderly patients may also be given PUVA treatment. As in type B therapy, initial exposure with PUVA may last a few minutes only and gradually increased until the skin regains its normal appearance. An average of 30 treatments are usually required to clear psoriasis but this may exceed depending on the patient's condition. Clearance can last a few months to two or three years. "The treatments are usually given three times a week, but the schedule may vary depending on the physician. PUVA will produce a temporary erythema (or redness of the skin) which will evolve into a deep, rich tan. The erythema produced by PUVA does not peak until 48 hours and may be as late as 96 hours after treatment. For this reason, PUVA treatments are, in general, not given on consecutive days. Physicians will sometimes use potent steroids at the end of treatment to facilitate clearance of a few stubborn lesions to avoid prolonged PUVA exposure," said the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) in Portland, Oregon Though more effective in clearing severe psoriasis, PUVA poses higher risks than that of UVB and should not be used by children, teenagers, pregnant women, those with heart, blood pressure or eye problems, and those with a history of skin cancer. Common side effects include nausea, itchiness and reddening of the skin. A few may suffer from depression, dizziness, insomnia, headache, nervousness, leg cramps and prostate trouble. Long-term risks of PUVA include skin cancer, freckling, cataracts and premature aging. This is more likely to occur in fair-skinned individuals receiving high-dose treatments - those that exceed 159 after five years. Low dose PUVA therapy does not make one susceptible to these problems. To reduce the risks involved in PUVA therapy, your physician may rotate therapies, that is, use other therapies once the psoriasis has been cleared by PUVA. Special eyeglasses should be worn 24 hours after PUVA therapy to prevent cataracts from forming. Commercial sunglasses may not be suited for this purpose. "PUVA does have risks which must be understood. Long-term use will likely lead to some type of permanent skin change and a skin cancer might appear. Side effects can be minimized, however, through conservative use of the therapy and understanding of safety precautions to follow while on the therapy," the NPF concluded. (Next: Deadly psoriasis remedy.) To strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html. Read also artilcle lansoprazole without prescription