PUVA Therapy Negative Sides

PUVA Therapy Negative Sides

Reasons a Psoriasis Patient Should Not Receive PUVA Therapy

• history of skin cancer, particularly malignant melanoma
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• history of reaction to psoralen
• pregnant or nursing
• prior treatment with X-rays
• use of medication that makes the patient more sensitive to ultraviolet light (check with your doctor)

PUVA Therapy Negative Sides

UVB Light Psoriasis - Home Ultraviolet-B Therapy

UVB Light Psoriasis

Ultraviolet therapy can be done at home using equipment that can be purchased through several distributors in the United States. If you are thinking about starting a program of ultraviolet-B therapy at home, first meet with your dermatologist to see if this is an appropriate option for you. If you are a suitable candidate for this therapy, your dermatologist will provide you with a prescription for the light panels.

Home therapy must be carefully monitored so that excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (which can increase your risk of skin cancer) is avoided, and to ensure the proper dosage is chosen and used to avoid burning.

UVB Light Psoriasis

UVB Psoriasis Treatment - Ultraviolet-B Light Therapy

UVB Psoriasis Treatment

Ultraviolet-B rays are highly effective in treating psoriasis. Phototherapy with ultraviolet-B alone or in combination with other agents, such as coal tar or anthralin (Psoriatec), can improve psoriasis. Ultraviolet-B can be given as:

• Ultraviolet-B (290-320 nanometers) - known as broadband UVB 
• Narrow-band UVB (311 nanometers)
• Goeckerman regimen (UVB plus coal tar)
• Ingram regimen (UVB plus anthralin)
• UVB plus systemic agent
• UVB plus another topical agent (calcipotriol [Dovonex, Daivonex], tazarotene [Tazorex], topical steroid)

The starting dose for each patient depends on his or her skin type, and typically ultraviolet-B treatments start with only a few seconds of exposure to light. Over time the exposure time is gradually increased until the skin is clear. You could require treatment anywhere from three to five times a week, and as your skin begins to clear, your doctor might stop light treatments or start you on a regular schedule to maintain your improvement. This can include coming in once every week, two weeks, or monthly. During your active treatment period, you will be examined on a regular basis by the treatment staff at the phototherapy unit. If you burn during treatment, immediately notify your dermatologist or the treatment staff.

Psoriasis Light Therapy - Light Therapy

Psoriasis Light Therapy

Natural sunlight is known to have a beneficial effect on patients with psoriasis. In rare instances, psoriasis patients might find that sunlight actually worsens their condition. Natural sunlight is composed of three types of radiation: ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the visible light spectrum, and infrared radiation. Visible light waves are the only light waves we can see, and we see them as colors of the rainbow. Infrared light cannot be seen. Longer infrared light waves can be felt as heat similar to that of the sun, fire, or a radiator. Short or near infrared light waves cannot be felt. Near infrared, for example, is used by a TV's remote control.
 
Each category in the light spectrum comprises different components that have their own unique wavelength. The shorter the wavelength, the less energy the light source carries. Just as we measure distance with meters, we measure light waves using a wavelength measurement called nanometers. A wavelength is a measure of 1 nanometer. You would need 1 million nanometers just to make 1 millimeter.