Atopic Dermatitis

Other treatment for atopic dermatitis includes light therapy and complementary therapies.

Light therapy

Severe atopic dermatitis may be treated by exposing affected skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. There are two types of ultraviolet light, called ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

• Phototherapy uses UVA, UVB, or a combination of UVA and UVB.
• Psoralen plus ultraviolet light therapy (PUVA) uses UVA light along with psoralen medicines, which make the skin more sensitive to UV light.

Excessive sun exposure and light treatment (such as with UVA or UVB treatments) increases your risk of skin cancer.

Complementary or alternative treatments

Complementary or alternative treatments may be helpful for treating atopic dermatitis. Some small studies showed benefit from these treatments. But there is not clear scientific evidence to show that they help. Examples of complementary and alternative treatments for atopic dermatitis include:

• Dietary supplements of essential fatty acids (EFAs), such as fish oil or evening primrose oil. These may help the immune system work better.
• Creams that are put on the skin that contain St. John's wort or vitamin B12. These may help improve skin affected by atopic dermatitis.
• Chinese herbal therapy. Some traditional herbs contain natural corticosteroids, which may reduce itching. But herbal therapies may also contain substances that may cause liver or heart problems.

If you are interested in these treatments, ask your doctor about their use, their effectiveness, and any possible interactions related to other medicines you are taking.