Light Boxes for Psoriasis
Unsightly and incurable, the skin disorder psoriasis affects one person in 50, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis responds to various types of ultraviolet light treatments, which often involve phototherapy units, also known as light boxes.
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UVB Rays
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Phototherapy units emit beneficial UVB rays that are present in sunlight. Tanning beds emit the less-beneficial UVA rays, the psoriasis foundation says.
About the Units
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The light box units range from small (just for hands and feet) to full-size upright units for full-body treatments. Treatments generally begin in a physician's office or psoriasis clinic, but can be continued at home.
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Treatment Costs
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Ongoing treatment, even with health insurance, can cost $4,000 annually (2010 figures). The cost leads many patients to consider acquiring a home unit, says National Biological, which manufactures phototherapy units.
Home Unit Cost
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Dr. Thomas Morrow, writing in Managed Care magazine in 2006, said patients with a doctor's prescription could buy a home UVB phototherapy unit for $2,300.
Foundation's View
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The psoriasis foundation considers home units for UVB treatment to be economical and convenient. The foundation emphasizes the importance of checkups and of consistently following doctors' instructions.
Insurance
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Vendors will work with insurance companies to help patients get coverage for home units, the psoriasis foundation notes.
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