Hand psoriasis/eczema is a common problem which is characterized by itchy, erythematous and scaly lesions often with a long lasting and relapsing course. Treatment is difficult with considerable number of patients do not or only partially respond to the current treatments. Several studies have shown the therapeutic effectiveness of the combination of topical psoralen with long wavelength ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) in treating hand psoriasis/eczema. Topical PUVA is has several short- and long-term side effects. Narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) has emerged recently as an important treatment for a variety of photoresponsive diseases including psoriasis and eczema. For most conditions (other than hand psoriasis/eczema) NB-UVB has been shown to have similar therapeutic results to PUVA with less side effects. There are only a few studies published on the efficacy of NB-UVB for hand psoriasis/eczema. Therefore, this study is aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of t-PUVA and NB-UVB in treating these conditions.

Hand dermatoses is a common problem which is characterized by itchy, erythematous and scaly lesions often with a long lasting and relapsing course. Patients presenting with these severe cutaneous changes are classified as having severe recalcitrant hand dermatoses. Treatment is difficult with considerable number of patients do not or only partially respond to the current treatments. Current treatment regimens mainly involve the use of high potency topical corticosteroids, which has only limited affect. Systemic treatment modalities have been utilized but have serious side effects with limited improvement of disease.

Several studies have shown the therapeutic effectiveness of the combination of topical psoralen with long wavelength ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) in treating hand dermatoses. Topical PUVA is commonly associated with mild local sunburn reactions that often necessitate temporarily withholding treatment or decreasing the light dose. This subsequently leads to a delay in response or a prolongation of the treatment. Long term side effects include aging of the skin, hyperpigmentation, and a small increased risk of skin cancer that is more common in systemic PUVA. Narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) has emerged recently as an important treatment for a variety of photoresponsive diseases including psoriasis and eczema. For most conditions (other than hand psoriasis/eczema) NB-UVB has been shown to have similar therapeutic results to PUVA with less side effects.

There are only a few studies published on the efficacy of NB-UVB for hand psoriasis/eczema. Our hypothesis is that NB-UVB and topical PUVA will result in at least comparable improvement in hand psoriasis/eczema with less side effects associated with NB-UVB. We plan on conducting a prospective single-blind randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of topical PUVA and NB-UVB in treating hand psoriasis/eczema.

Study Objectives

1. To compare the effect of topical PUVA and NB-UVB on visual cutaneous symptoms in patients presenting with recalcitrant hand dermatoses.
2. To compare the side effect profile of topical PUVA and NB-UVB when treating patients with recalcitrant hand dermatoses.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic symmetrical severe hand psoriasis and eczema (allowing up to 15% difference in surface area between both hands). These include patients that have received topical corticosteroids previously and may or may have not responded to treatment.
• Subjects should be 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any serious medical illness that will restrict the patient's ability to receive light treatments. That includes skin conditions, such as skin cancer or severe blistering conditions, or any serious medical conditions affecting the sensation of the extremities (eg. diabetic neuropathy, cervical stenosis).
• Patients known to have a photosensitivity disorder
• Patients with a history of intolerance to UVB and/or UVA light therapy.
• Any subject who is on treatment or was on treatment for hand psoriasis/eczema less than two (topical) or four (systemic/phototherapy) weeks prior to enrollment in the study.
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding.