How effective is narrowband UVB phototherapy for morphea?

Morphea is a localised condition in which skin becomes firm, tight, or discoloured. Light-based treatment reaches the upper skin and may reduce inflammation in superficial lesions, sometimes improving flexibility and texture. It is less suited to disease extending deeply into the tissue, affecting joints, or progressing quickly. A clinician must assess activity, depth, location, and whether the condition involves the face, scalp, or areas over movement before recommending a course.

Ask how active the morphea is and whether the goal is to calm inflammation, soften skin, improve movement, or address colour. Attend scheduled exposures and report burning, blistering, or a new light-sensitive medicine. Continue the prescribed moisturising and movement plan. Take dated photographs only if your clinician finds them useful, since changes in colour can be easier to compare than changes in firmness. Do not self-treat a suspected morphea patch with tanning or household UV devices.

Arrange timely review if a patch expands, becomes more firm or painful, develops a new border, or begins limiting movement. Contact the treatment team promptly for a strong light reaction. Seek urgent help for severe swelling, extensive blistering, or rapidly worsening pain. Eye, mouth, or swallowing symptoms require prompt medical assessment because they may indicate involvement beyond a simple superficial patch.

Ask how deep your lesions appear, what improvement is realistic, whether another treatment is needed for active disease, and how movement or firmness will be monitored.