Transmittance properties of flurandrenolide tape for psoriasis: helpful adjunct to phototherapy.

BACKGROUND

Flurandrenolide tape is a valuable agent in the treatment of lichen simplex chronicus and in psoriasis. The corticosteroid is helpful for reducing the symptoms and induration of the lichen simplex chronicus lesion, and occlusion of the lesion with the tape reduces the patient's opportunity to rub and scratch the affected area.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent flurandrenolide tape may block ultraviolet (UV) light and interfere with phototherapy of psoriasis.

METHODS

Flurandrenolide tape was applied to quartz spectroscopy cuvettes, and the absorption spectrum was determined using a Beckman DU-600 spectrophotometer. The effect of the tape on UV light transmission was also determined using our UVA-UVB office phototherapy unit.

RESULTS

Flurandrenolide tape has considerable UV absorption in the UVC range with less absorption in the UVB and UVA range. The transmittance is greater (less absorption) with longer wavelengths. There was greater UV absorption in the UVB range than in the UVA range.

CONCLUSION

Although flurandrenolide tape may be left in place during PUVA therapy, adjustment of UV dose or removal of the tape is probably needed during UVB phototherapy.