Pruritus in haemodialysis patients: treatment with ultraviolet B

Pruritus in uraemic patients is a therapeutic challenge for the dermatologist. The usual antipruritic agents are of no avail. In this study, we evaluated the beneficial effect of sunburn spectrum ultraviolet B irradiation in the treatment of pruritus in patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis. Of 20 patients treated twice weekly for 4 weeks, 17 responded to therapy with complete relief of pruritus in a short time. In two patients, the response was delayed and needed four more treatment sessions. Thus, 85% of patients showed marked improvement. A majority of them did not show any relapse during 4 months of follow-up. The mechanisms of action of this modality of treatment remain unclear.