Psoriasis (cont.)
What about light therapy?
Light therapy is also called phototherapy. There are several types of
traditional medical light therapies called PUVA, UVB, and narrow band UVB. These
artificial light sources have been used for decades and generally available in a
physician's office. There are a few companies who may sell light boxes or light
bulbs for prescribed home light therapy.
Natural sunlight is also used to treat psoriasis. Daily, short, controlled
exposures to natural sunlight may help or clear psoriasis in some patients. Skin
unaffected by psoriasis and sensitive areas such as the face and hands may need
to be protected during sun exposure.
There are also multiple newer light sources like lasers and photodynamic
therapy (use of a light activating medication and a special light source) that
have been used to treat psoriasis.
PUVA is a special treatment using a photosensitizing drug and timed
artificial-light exposure. The photosensitizing drug in PUVA is called psoralen.
These treatments are usually administered in a physician's office two to three times per
week. Several weeks of PUVA is usually required before seeing significant
results. The light exposure time is slowly and gradually increased during each
subsequent treatment.
Psoralens may be given orally as a pill or topically as a bath or lotion.
After a short incubation period, the skin is exposed to a special wavelength of
ultraviolet light called UVA. Patients using PUVA are generally sun sensitive
and must avoid sun exposure for a period of time after PUVA.
Common side effects with PUVA include burning, tanning of the skin, potential
skin damage, increased brown spots called lentigines, and possible increased
risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. The relative increase in skin cancer
risk with PUVA treatment is controversial. PUVA treatments need to be closely
monitored by a physician and discontinued when a maximum number of treatments
have been reached.
UVB phototherapy is an artificial light treatment using a special wavelength
of light. It is frequently given daily or two to three times per week. UVB is also a
component of natural sunlight. UVB dosage is based on time and exposure is
gradually increased by 15-60 seconds per treatment or per week. Potential side
effects with UVB include skin burning, skin damage, and possible increased risk
of skin cancer, including melanoma. The relative increase in skin cancer risk
with UVB treatment needs further study.
Sometimes UVB is combined with other treatments such as tar application.
Goeckerman is the name of a special psoriasis therapy using this combination.
Some centers have used this therapy in a "day care" type of setting where
patients are in the psoriasis treatment clinic all day for several weeks and go
home each night.
Next: Where can I get more information on psoriasis? »
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