Korean J Dermatol.  1977 Dec;15(4):371-377.

Photochemical Treatment Utilizing Mercury Out-door Illumination Lamp

• Kim HK
• Kim JH

Abstract

In previous paper we reported on the radiation spectrum of commercially ava ilable out-door illumination lamp and suggested the use of this lamp as long ultraviolet light source until such time we have adquate medical equipments availahle. We tried to dectermine the erythema dose of above lamps in conjunction with topical psoralen and tar. The skin lamp distance was kept 50cm. The test sites were the backs of 30 young volunters. 200 watt bulbs were used. l. 30 minutes topical application of 0.25% Meladoxen solution required 2 to 6 minutes of exposure to inducs erythema in 48 hours. 2. 6 hours of topical tar application needed 2 to 8 minutes of exposure. 3. With 0.25% Meladoxen solution; 30 minutes of topical application produced more phototoxic effect tnan 2 or 24 hours. 4. With 5% Tar ointment; the longer the duration of topical application the stronger was the phototoxic effect. But topical application time exceeding 6 hours failed to increase phototoxic effect furtber. 5. With 0.3% Meladoxen cream the thicker the applied cream the stronger was the phototoxic effect up to 25mg per cm, over which phototoxic effect decreased, probably due to the screening effect of the cream, It is concluded that in the photochemical treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis psoralen sould be applied for 80 minutes, the tar for 6 hours or ovemight before irradiating the lesions with long wave ultraviolet rays. In this way the time required for each session of photochemical treatment of psoriasis or vitiligo will be greatly reduced while obtaining maximum effect. This is more significant in the view of long term treatmant required for the management of these embarrasing dermatoses.

MeSH Terms

Erythema
Ficusin
Lighting*
Mass Screening
Psoriasis
Skin
Skin Diseases
Ultraviolet Rays
Vitiligo
Ficusin