From this study, the trend for ALA-PDT with blue light to be superior to blue light alone was observed, but it did not reach statistical significance. ALA-PDT had more side effects.

Adult-onset AP in our country may have different geographic and racial distribution from previous reports or may be the tropical variant as described by Tham et al. It may not be an uncommon disease in our country, if there is increased awareness of this disease. Only 16.6% of patients had reduced MED. Photo provocation tests were positive in 90% of cases. Most of the positive wavelengths were UVA or both UVA and UVB. Therefore, photo provocation tests should be performed in cases suspected of AP. The prognosis for AP is not good, despite combinations of treatment. The disorder may run a chronic course. This may be because of our sunny climate and the sun-exposed occupations of patients.

Seventeen patients with persistent chronic hand eczema were treated with topical 0.1% 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA (PUVA) for 8 weeks. Significant improvement was achieved in 5 cases (29%), moderate improvement in 9 (53%), and little improvement in 3 (18%). The mean number of PUVA treatments was 22.2, and the mean total UVA dose was 63.5 J/cm2. There was no association between clinical response and duration of hand eczema, positive patch test reaction, or atopic status. Since topical PUVA has no risk of systemic side effects, it should be considered as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic hand eczema who are resistant to other topical medications.

Thirty patients with pityriasis lichenoides were divided into three groups. The first group was treated twice daily with applications of topical 0.02–0.1% triamcinolone cream. The second group was given the same regimen but in combination with oral tetracycline, one to two grams daily in divided doses. The third group was treated with oral psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA). The average durations of treatment in the three groups were 6, 7 and 2 months, respectively. The results of the treatment in the first group included two patients with complete remission, two with partial response and four with no response. In the second group, there was one patient with complete remission, eleven with partial response, and two with no response. Significant therapeutic results were observed in the third group; there were five patients with complete remission, two with partial response, and one with no response. Skin lesions of patients in the third group cleared completely or were markedly reduced with an average of 26 treatments at an average UVA dose of 68.80 joules/cm2. We therefore concluded that PUVA is more effective than the other modes of treatment for pityriasis lichenoides.