Xenon chloride ultraviolet-B laser phototherapy in allergic rhinitis

Since ultraviolet-B (UVB) lht has been shown to exert both local and systemic immunosuppression, we investigated the clinical efficacy of UVB light in allergic rhinitis. In an open study, groups of patients with severe allergic rhinitis received intranasal irradiation with 308 nm xenon chloride (XeCl) UVB excimer laser for two weeks. In the low-dose group (n=7), treatment was given twice weekly, started with 0.25 × minimal erythema dose (MED), measured on the gluteal skin, whereas patients in the medium-dose group (n=8) were treated four times weekly starting with 0.4 × MED. In each group the light dosage was increased gradually. Evaluation was based on the symptom scores. The effect of XeCl laser on the skin prick test (SPT) reaction was also studied. In the low-dose group there was no improvement in the nasal symptoms. In the medium-dose group the XeCl UVB light significantly reduced rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal obstruction and total nasal score (p