Phototherapy in the Evaluation and Management of Photodermatoses.

Ultraviolet light (UV) and visible light are important components in the diagnosis of photodermatoses, and UV has the unique ability to also be used to manage photodermatoses. Phototesting, provocative light testing, and photopatch testing can provide important information in diagnosing patients with photodermatoses; phototesting can be used to determine the starting dose for phototherapy in these patients. Once photosensitivity is established, narrowband UVB and UVA1 therapy have helped to improve the quality of life of photosensitive patients, such as those with polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria.