Seventeen patients with persistent chronic hand eczema were treated with topical 
0.1% 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA (PUVA) for 8 weeks. Significant improvement was 
achieved in 5 cases (29%), moderate improvement in 9 (53%), and little 
improvement in 3 (18%). The mean number of PUVA treatments was 22.2, and the 
mean total UVA dose was 63.5 J/cm2. There was no association between clinical 
response and duration of hand eczema, positive patch test reaction, or atopic 
status. Since topical PUVA has no risk of systemic side effects, it should be 
considered as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic hand eczema who 
are resistant to other topical medications.