308-nm Excimer Lamp Versus Combination of 308-nm Excimer Lamp and 10% Liquor Carbonis Detergens in Patients With Scalp Psoriasis: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Controlled Trial

This study compared the effectiveness of a 308-nm excimer lamp alone versus its combination with 10% liquor carbonis detergens (LCD) in treating scalp psoriasis in 30 patients, with 27 completing the study. Both treatments significantly reduced Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI) scores, but the combination therapy achieved greater reductions and higher clearance levels (PSSI50, PSSI75, PSSI100) by the 30th visit. Four weeks post-treatment, the monotherapy group showed continued improvement, narrowing the outcome gap. Both groups experienced significant reductions in itch and Scalpdex scores, with no significant differences between them. The study concluded that while both treatments were effective, the combination therapy provided superior immediate results. The combination therapy also required a lower irradiation dose, potentially reducing long-term UV exposure, and was well-tolerated with minimal adverse events. The study recommended further research with larger populations and longer durations to better understand long-term safety and remission.