What to expect from narrowband UVB phototherapy for guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis causes many small, drop-shaped scaly patches, often across the trunk and limbs. Narrowband UVB treats exposed skin with a controlled band of ultraviolet light. The clinician chooses the starting exposure after considering your skin type, recent sun exposure, medicines, and the areas involved. Each visit allows the team to check scaling, redness, tenderness, and new spots before deciding whether the next exposure should change.

Keep appointments regular and tell the clinic if you start a medicine, develop a cold sore, or have unusually sensitive skin. Follow directions about moisturiser and other psoriasis treatments, cover areas not being treated, and use the supplied eye protection. Avoid adding recreational sun exposure around the course. If skin feels hot or sore after treatment, record when it began and contact the team before the next visit.

Ask for prompt review if treated skin develops painful intense redness, blisters, marked swelling, or worsening tenderness. Urgent assessment is needed for widespread blistering, fever with rapidly changing skin, facial swelling, or breathing difficulty. A sudden change to very red, widespread, or pus-filled plaques also needs medical attention.

Ask which body areas will be exposed, how missed sessions are handled, when to apply emollient, and how the plan changes if new guttate spots appear during treatment.