PUVA

PUVA
PUVA stands for psoralen and ultraviolet A (UVA) therapy in which the patient is exposed first to psoralens (drugs containing chemicals that react with ultraviolet light to cause darkening of the skin) and then to UVA light. PUVA is, for instance, used to treat vitiligo (white patches on the skin). It is time-consuming and care must be taken to avoid side effects, which can sometimes be severe. The treatment involves taking psoralen by mouth (orally) or applying it to the skin (topically). This is followed by carefully timed exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) light from a special lamp or to sunlight. Patients usually receive treatments in their doctors' offices so they can be carefully watched for any side effects. Patients must minimize exposure to sunlight at other times. The goal of PUVA therapy in vitiligo is to repigment the white patches. PUVA treatment is also called psoralen photochemotherapy.
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Acronym for oral administration of psoralen and subsequent exposure to long-wavelength ultraviolet light (uv-a); used to treat psoriasis.
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psoralen ultraviolet A-range

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PUVA .pē-(.)yü-(.)vē-'ā n [psoralen ultraviolet A] photochemotherapy for psoriasis using psoralen and UVA

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psoralen + ultraviolet A: the combination of psoralen, a light-sensitive drug, and exposure to long-wave (315-400 nm) ultraviolet light (UVA). It was used in the East in ancient times, using natural sunlight as the light source, for the treatment of vitiligo. PUVA was introduced into Western medicine in 1973, principally for treating psoriasis; a number of other conditions also respond. The psoralen is usually taken as tablets but may be administered in a bath. The UVA is administered by means of specially designed light cabinets containing large numbers of fluorescent tubes.

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psoralen plus ultraviolet A; see under therapy.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • PUVA — steht als Abkürzung für Psoralen plus UV A, wobei mit dieser Kombination von langwelligem UV Licht und dem als Naturstoff in den ätherischen Ölen verschiedener Pflanzen vorkommenden Psoralen dessen photosensibilisierende Eigenschaften zu… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • PUVA — is a Psoralen + UVA treatment for Eczema, Psoriasis and Vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve db=PubMed list uids=8507078 dopt=Abstract] . The Psoralen is applied or taken orally to sensitize… …   Wikipedia

  • PUVA — Abreviatura de un tratamiento de la psoriasis que consiste en un medicamente llamado psoraleno y luz ultravioleta de longitud de onda A (larga). Diccionario Mosby Medicina, Enfermería y Ciencias de la Salud, Ediciones Hancourt, S.A …   Diccionario médico

  • PUVA — PUVA,   Abkürzung für Psoralene plus UV A (Blacklight Therapie) …   Universal-Lexikon

  • PUVA — sigla Psoralene e raggi Ultravioletti di tipo A, nei trattamenti di fotochemioterapia …   Dizionario italiano

  • PUVA — photochemotherapy psoralen + ultraviolet A: the combination of a psoralen (a light sensitive drug) and exposure to long wave (315–400 nm) ultraviolet light (UVA). It was used in the East in ancient times, with natural sunlight as the light source …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • PUVA — a therapy for psoriasis combining the oral drug psoralen and high intensity long wave ultraviolet light. [P(SORALEN) + UV A ultraviolet light of a wavelength between 320 and 400 nanometers] * * * PUVA «POO vuh», noun. a method of treating… …   Useful english dictionary

  • PUVA-therapie — PUVA thérapie La PUVA thérapie est un traitement médical efficace dans certaines maladies de la peau, et notamment le psoriasis. C est une photochimiothérapie associant : un médicament : le psoralène, utilisé comme agent mutagène. une… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Puva-thérapie — La PUVA thérapie est un traitement médical efficace dans certaines maladies de la peau, et notamment le psoriasis. C est une photochimiothérapie associant : un médicament : le psoralène, utilisé comme agent mutagène. une… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • PUVA-Therapie — PUVA The|ra|pie [PUVA: Abk. für ↑ Psoralen u. UV A]: ↑ Photochemotherapie …   Universal-Lexikon

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