We earlier reported that the 308 nm
xenon chloride (XeCl) ultraviolet B (UVB)
laser is highly effective for the treatment of inflammatory
skin diseases. Since UVB irradiation has been shown to exert both local and systemic immunosuppression, we investigated the clinical efficacy of UVB irradiation in
allergic rhinitis. In an open study, groups of patients with severe
allergic rhinitis received intranasal irradiation with a 308 nm XeCl UVB
excimer laser for two weeks. In the low-dose group (n=10), treatment was given twice weekly, starting with 0.25x the individual minimal
erythema dose (MED), whereas patients in the medium-dose group (n=8) were treated four times weekly, starting with 0.4x MED. In each group, the dosage was gradually increased. Evaluation was based on the symptom scores. The effect of the
XeCl laser on the skin prick test reaction was also studied. In the low-dose group, seven patients completed the study, and there was no improvement in the nasal symptoms. In the medium-dose group, the XeCl UVB irradiation significantly inhibited the rhinorrhoea, the
sneezing, the
nasal obstruction and the total nasal score (p<0.05). The XeCl UVB
excimer laser also inhibited the
allergen-induced skin prick test in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the XeCl UVB
excimer laser might serve as a new therapeutic tool in the treatment of
allergic rhinitis.