Guidelines for bath PUVA, bathing suit PUVA and soak PUVA.

Background: The aim of these guidelines is to encourage dermatologists to use bath psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), bathing suit PUVA and soak PUVA in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and other conditions.

Methods: Evidence was collected using searches of the PubMed, MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases using the keywords "bath PUVA," "soak PUVA," "bathing suit PUVA" and "turban PUVA." Only publications in English were reviewed.

Results: One hundred and thirty-eight studies were evaluated, 57 of which fulfilled the criteria for inclusion.

Conclusions: Both bath PUVA and bathing suit PUVA are very effective and safe treatments for generalized stable plaque psoriasis (strength of recommendation, A). Soak PUVA is very effective in the treatment of both palmoplantar psoriasis and chronic palmoplantar eczema (strength of recommendation, A).