Oral psoralen photochemotherapy of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands.

6 out of 9 patients with allergic contact dermatitis of the hands were successfully treated with oral methoxsalenultraviolet-A (PUVA) photochemotherapy. Clearing the dermatitis symptoms of the hands was achieved with an average of 23 treatments (150 J/cm2). To maintain the initial results a rather frequent maintenance treatment--usually once a week--was necessary. Longer treatment intervals resulted in a relapse of the dermatitis. This made continuous treatment necessary. In one patient treatment was stopped, and he remained clear for 17 weeks. The influence of PUVA on the allergic status of the patients is supposed to be a local effect. PUVA proves to be a valuable addition in the treatment of occupational hand dermatitis.