Phototherapy dressing for treating psoriasis

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for phototherapy to treat skin disorders. In particular, described herein are phototherapy dressings for use with phototherapy UV light applicators (sources) to treat skin disorders such as psoriasis. The dressings described herein may include a support body onto which a medicament formed of a hydrogel and coal tar and/or coal tar extract is held. The dressing may be configured so that at least half (50%) of the UV light within a therapeutic range of wavelengths is through the dressing including the medicament to the patient's skin. The dressings may be adapted for use in conjunction with a phototherapy UV light sources.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A phototherapy dressing for treating psoriasis, the dressing comprising:
 a support body;   a medicament in communication with the support body, the medicament comprising a hydrogel including a suspension of between 0.1% and 5% (by weight/volume) coal tar or coal tar extract mixed in the hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel comprises greater than 90% water and is between 0.005 to 0.1 inches thick;   wherein the medicament and support body together occlude less than 80% of UV light at wavelengths between 300 and 320 nm from passing through the phototherapy dressing;   an adhesive on the phototherapy dressing; and   an attachment for a phototherapy UV light source on the support body, the attachment configured to secure the phototherapy UV light source over the medicament.