Itching for Light

Narrowband UVB was helpful to patients with uremic or idiopathic pruritus.

To evaluate narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) therapy prospectively for generalized pruritus, researchers enrolled 17 patients with uremic pruritus (UP) and 29 patients with idiopathic pruritus (IP; itching with no underlying systemic disease).

Patients were assessed weekly. On a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), patients rated the itch from 0 (no itch) to 10 (worst itch experienced). A pruritus grading system was based on distribution, frequency, and severity of pruritus, and on sleep disturbance (maximal score, 19). NB-UVB treatment was administered three times weekly. Starting doses were 150 mJ/cm² for skin types I and II and 200 mJ/cm² for skin types III and IV. If erythema did not occur, the dose was increased by 20%. Treatments continued until…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD