What to expect from PUVA therapy for mycosis fungoides

Before a session, the team reviews your skin and confirms medicines or conditions that may increase light sensitivity. The sensitising medicine may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin, depending on the treatment plan. After the appropriate waiting period, affected skin is exposed to ultraviolet A in a treatment cabinet or with a focused device. Exposure is adjusted to your response. Mycosis fungoides can involve different body areas, so the team may protect unaffected skin and use local treatment when suitable. Improvement is assessed over several visits rather than judged after one session.

Take or apply the sensitising medicine exactly as directed, and report every prescription, supplement, and skincare product you use. Wear the recommended protective eyewear during and after treatment for the period your team specifies, and protect light-sensitive skin from extra sunlight on treatment days. Do not add tanning or home ultraviolet exposure. Use gentle cleansers and moisturiser if advised. Keep appointments because the dose depends on how your skin responded to earlier sessions. Tell the team promptly about burning, marked redness, blistering, new rash, or eye discomfort.

Contact the treatment team if redness or tenderness becomes intense, lasts longer than expected, or is followed by peeling or blisters. Seek urgent care for severe eye pain or vision change, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, or a widespread reaction. New lumps, rapidly changing patches, or symptoms such as fever should be reported to the clinician managing your mycosis fungoides.

Ask which PUVA format is planned, how to protect your eyes and untreated skin, what improvement will be monitored, how medicines affect the schedule, and what alternatives exist if your skin does not tolerate light exposure.