Who Should Avoid Light Therapy (Phototherapy and Heliotherapy)?

Phototherapy and heliotherapy are two treatments that may be recommended for the treatment of psoriasis. Both involve exposure to light.

While effective, some people should avoid excess ultraviolet radiation -- natural or synthetic -- for the treatment of their psoriasis. These people include:

• patients with light sensitive diseases, including but not limited to lupus or porphyria
• patients with a history of melanoma or invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the skin (skin cancer)
• Patients who have had their eyes' natural lenses removed due to cataracts, since the lens protects the retina against UV radiation
• women who are pregnant

Special care should be taken when using ultraviolet radiation to treat patients who have a history of basal cell carcinoma of the skin, arsenic exposure, or a history of prior x-ray therapy.