Phototherapy
PUVA
PUVA is an acronym for psoralen (a light-sensitizing medication) combined with exposure to ultraviolet light A. Both components in PUVA treatment—the oral medication psoralen and the UVA light—are potentially mutagenic (affecting the genes) and should be avoided during conception and pregnancy. They can cause birth defects if used by a man or a woman during the time a child is conceived. This also applies to bath PUVA, where the entire body is immersed in a tub of water that contains psoralen.
Nursing women should avoid PUVA, because psoralen in breast milk could cause light sensitivity in the infant.
Ultraviolet light B (UVB)
Treatment with UVB is generally safe, but sunscreens should be applied on the face to prevent melasma (a condition common in pregnant women that causes the appearance of brown spots).
UVB is generally acceptable as a psoriasis treatment for women who are nursing.
Combination treatments of UVB with tar or anthralin (called Goeckerman or Ingram regimens, respectively) are both considered safe and effective treatment options for pregnant women with widespread psoriasis. They have been used for decades without any evidence of significant harm to pregnancy.
Updated June 2006
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