Light Psoriasis Treatment
Phototherapy, or light therapy, is a form of treatment for psoriasis. It involves exposing the skin to light, usually ultraviolet light B, at regular intervals for extended lengths of time. The purpose of light therapy is to reduce the inflammation and skin thickening of psoriasis. It does this by slowing the rapid growth of skin cells that contribute to psoriasis lesions.
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Ultraviolet Light B Therapy
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Broadband UVB therapy is commonly used to treat psoriasis. It is administered in your doctor's office initially. You can also buy a light box to use at home if it is ordered by your doctor. UVB therapy consists of approximately 20 to 40 treatments over a period of three weeks. Narrow band UVB rays are more intense than broadband rays. Narrow band UVB is a newer therapy as of 2009. It is thought to be safer and have fewer side effects. Treatments are usually given twice weekly and improvement should be noticed after about six weeks. UVB rays are also applied through laser treatments. Treatments usually consist of up to six sessions at 30 minutes each. The laser targets a specific lesion and spares surrounding issue. Laser UVB has the disadvantage of being a painful procedure. Side effects which may be experienced as a result of all types of UVB therapy are skin irritation, itching and scarring.
Ultraviolet Light A Therapy
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UVA rays are not effective in treating psoriasis unless a light sensitizing medication is also used at the same time. Psoralen is the medication used for this purpose and the therapy is called PUVA. PUVA therapy causes inflammation and redness of the skin which inhibits the development of psoriasis lesions. PUVA carries a higher risk of skin cancer than treatment with UVB light. PUVA treatments are given two to three times a week. Psoralen is taken approximately two hours before light exposure to allow time for the drug to reach the skin. The skin is then exposed to UVA rays by standing in a light box for periods of up to twenty minutes in length.
Sunlight
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Sunlight emits both UVB and UVA. You may benefit from daily exposure to sunlight if you have psoriasis. You should be consistent and get at least 10 minutes of noontime exposure to all of your affected areas. Use sunscreen to protect your unaffected skin. Tanning beds primarily emit UVA rays and are not useful in the treatment of psoriasis without taking the prescription drug Psoralen.
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