Systemic Photochemotherapy on the Systemic Contact Dermatitis by Rhus

Choi, D J; Yoon, T J; Kim, T H

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The clinical symptoms of the acute stage systemic contact dermatitis by rhus are not easily improved by ordinary treatment including systemic steroids.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of systemic photochemotherapy on the systemic contact dermatitis by rhus.
METHODS
Eleven patients of systemic contact dermatitis by rhus were divided into two treatment groups. One was treated by systemic photochemotherapy with systemic steroids and the other by systemic steroids only. The mean duration of symptomatic improvement and the mean dose of systemic steroids were calculated after termination of the treatment.
RESULTS
The mean amount of steroids and mean duration of symptomatic improvement were significantly decreased in patients who received systemic photochemotherapy.
CONCLUSION
Systemic photochemotherapy is a good alternative treatment for patients who can not tolerate high dose steroids, and a combination of systemic photochemotherapy and low dose steroids is very effective in controlling acute stage symptoms of systemic contact dermatitis with much lowered dose of systemic steroids.