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This treatment combines oral or topical administration of a medicine called psoralen with exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) light. It is also called "photochemotherapy." The drug psoralen makes the skin more sensitive and responsive to this particular light. Compared with UVB treatment, PUVA treatment taken two to three times a week clears psoriasis more consistently and in fewer treatments. PUVA clears or dramatically clears psoriasis for more than 75% of patients and can lead to extended remissions. However, it is associated with more short-term side effects, including nausea, headache, fatigue, burning, and itching. Long-term treatment is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell and melanoma skin cancers. Due to the risks involved, PUVA is recommended only for moderate to severe psoriasis or disabling psoriasis when other treatments don't work. Long-term PUVA therapy can lead to premature aging of the skin and increase a person's risk of skin cancer. The level of risk is related to several factors, including the patient's skin type, the number of treatments and the cumulative "dose" of UVA light administered to the skin. |
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