Abstract
The numerous dermatology clinics have decreased or stopped phototherapy sessions due to the increased risk of getting COVID-19 during the current pandemic. In this context, poorly ventilated phototherapy units (PUs) should be redesigned in order to continue UV-based therapies and to protect our patients from getting COVID-19. Recently, it has been reported that ultraviolet C (UVC)-related dose and virus concentration may play a decisive role in the virucidal activity. Considering air changes per hour and viral inactivation time, 30 min of 30-W UVC radiation is able to inactivate poorly ventilated PUs of 3–4 m length, 5.5–7 m width, and 2.7–3 m height. Upper-air UVC radiation for 30 min between sessions would allow us to have more treatment options for numerous dermatological diseases in novel PUs during the COVID-19 pandemic and possible future pandemics.
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