Does Phototherapy Work For Psoriasis?

December 27, 2019     

Sun is an essential part of most life forms on this planet. Without sunlight, plants cannot produce the food. The life cycle is not possible without plants. In short, sunlight is a pillar of life on Earth, and when it comes to treating certain inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, light can also be the key to healing.

If the medication you are applying to your skin does not have the effect you need, your doctor may recommend using phototherapy to treat psoriasis. Use of ultraviolet light from sunlight, artificial lights or lasers to slow the growth of skin cells can alleviate your symptoms.

For some people, a cream with prescription is enough to control psoriasis. However, if your skin is itchy, scaly, and red, you can try phototherapy, which is also called light therapy.

In this article Cosmosure Clinic, provide you details about psoriasis and phototherapy treatment for psoriasis.

What is Phototherapy:

Phototherapy is a type of psoriasis treatment that can treat the pain and itching caused by psoriasis. Ultraviolet light reduces inflammation and slows the formation of skin cells. It can also be used for other skin conditions such as eczema.

There are various types of phototherapy treatments. If you are interested in this approach, you need to get information from the doctor that which method is best for you. Phototherapy can relieve the symptoms of psoriasis in many people. It reduces skin inflammation and slows the production of skin cells.

The doctor can recommend treatment therapy if someone has moderate or severe psoriasis or psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments.

What Is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder where skin cells multiply too quickly. Over time, these excess cells accumulate in thick, red, and scaly areas or like ashy looking patches which can be very itchy, painful, and ugly.

Psoriasis plaque usually builds up around the elbows, knees, feet, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet. If left untreated, symptoms can develop, and plaque can grow almost anywhere in the body. Other symptoms of psoriasis are:

• Dry, cracked or bleeding skin.
• Pain, itching, or burning around the spots
• Thick, hard, discoloured or crumb nails and toenails
• Swollen, painful, and warm joints.

Is Phototherapy Effective For Psoriasis?

Phototherapy is effective in reducing the symptoms of psoriasis. Most of the people who have phototherapy at Cosmosure Clinic, develop clear skin. It will continue for at least six months.

The use of treatments for psoriasis leads to significant improvement or relief of symptoms in 50-90 percent of people.

Why Does A Dermatologist suggest Phototherapy For psoriasis?

This treatment can help:

• Skin cells that grow slowly
• Suppressing an overactive immune system
• Reduce inflammation and allow the skin to heal
• Reduce or eliminate itching

Phototherapy How It Is Used For Psoriasis?

• Phototherapy includes ultraviolet (UV) light on the skin, which can reduce the size, itching, and the appearance of psoriasis plaque. Can even clean it thoroughly.
• Phototherapy does not cure psoriasis but can help people manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
• Phototherapy for psoriasis slows the overgrowth of skin cells, which reduces plaque formation. It also limits the growth of skin cells by affecting DNA function.
• Phototherapy cannot cure psoriasis; In some cases, it cleans the skin; in other cases, it decreases plaque but doesn’t eliminate it. Phototherapy is a second-line treatment used to treat severe or widespread problematic psoriasis has not gets treated with topical treatments (creams, lotions, ointments).
• For treating psoriasis, both UVB and UVA can be used. UVB is used alone, but UVA requires the skin to be sensitive to chemical plants derived from Psoralen before it becomes effective. The treatment that combines Psoralen with UVA is called PUVA.
• Both forms of phototherapy given for several weeks as part of the treatment where UV exposure increases gradually to avoid burns to the skin and adjust the skin to the procedure. In some cases, improvement continues for more than one year; in other cases, psoriasis can reappear after a few months or even weeks.

Phototherapy Procedure:

• Depending on the area affected by psoriasis, a person can receive phototherapy in areas such as the hands or scalp or the whole body. Before treatment, a doctor protects sensitive skin areas such as the eyes and genitals.
• Phototherapy requires several sessions to gradually increase the time the skin is exposed to UV light and give time to heal.
• Usually, patients undergo two to three phototherapy sessions per week for 2-3 months.
• Depending on the type of light therapy, usually, there is an improvement after 2-4 weeks.
• Everyone’s skin reacts differently to phototherapy, both in terms of improving psoriasis symptoms and during these benefits. The average remission time is 3-12 months.

How Does Phototherapy Work?

The exact cause of psoriasis is not yet fully understood, and the impact of UV on the skin is very complicated because it’s impossible to explain how phototherapy works. PUVA and UVB phototherapy can also work in a slightly different way.

Simplified psoriasis model shows that the hypersensitive skin immune system in the skin causes localized inflammation areas and excessive production of skin cells, which leads to visible plaque. UVB Phototherapy stops the overproduction of skin cells by damaging their DNA. PUVA phototherapy prevents cell division by blocking DNA.

It also suppresses the skin’s immune system to stop the psoriasis process. The best is given under professional medical supervision and get the safe benefits of UV phototherapy.

The phototherapy used to treat the whole body consists of a stand-in cabinet with a 1.8 m long fluorescent tube. This tube releases the UV radiation needed for phototherapy. It is essential to stay in the cabin for 5-15 minutes, although more extended maintenance can lead to shorter exposure times. The fan is integrated into the cabinet for ventilation and temperature control.

Smaller UV units used to treat small areas of the skin such as hands or feet. Safety glasses must be worn during treatment to protect the eyes, and most people also wear transparent UV protectors to protect the face (which usually do not have psoriasis plaque). Men must wear genital protection.

Types of Phototherapy:

The best phototherapy method depends on which part of the body has psoriasis. There are many ways to do phototherapy for psoriasis, including various types of lights and equipment.

Doctors choose the phototherapy method to use based on the following factors:

• How Much body part has psoriasis?
• Which body part has psoriasis?
• How much influence does psoriasis have on a person’s quality of life?
• General human health
• A person’s skin type

An essential difference between the various forms of phototherapy is the type of UV light used for treatment:

• UVA has a long wavelength. It can penetrate through glass windows and reach deeper layers of skin. One must use UVA treatments in combination with Psoralen, making the skin more susceptible to UVA rays.
• UVB has a shorter wavelength. It only extends to the upper layers of the skin and does not require Psoralen.

Different Types Of Phototherapy For Psoriasis Include:
Phototherapy usually performed at clinics. To be effective, most patients require two or three phototherapy procedures per week. It means you have to go to a treatment clinic or hospital two or three times a week for several weeks. In some cases, you may have to run five times a week. There are various types of phototherapy. The most common types prescribed by dermatologists are:

• UVB lamps (narrowband or broadband): Stand in a lightbox or light source that transfers to your skin.
• Laser Treatment: A dermatologist uses a laser to give high light doses only to psoriasis.
• PUVA bath: Soak in water containing a drug called Psoralen. This drug makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays. After bathing, wait a while then get UVA treatment.
• PUVA with the pill: You take a psoralen pill, wait for about 45 to 60 minutes and then receive mild UVA treatment.

Who Can Help You With Psoriasis Phototherapy?

Although many patients seek help from a general physician for treating psoriasis but is usually done by expert dermatologists who specialize in psoriasis phototherapy, the most important thing is that you see a doctor and get a diagnosis. Psoriasis can be debilitating.

Go For Professional Care: Seek doctor from Cosmosure Clinic help to be treated safely with phototherapy, it is best to talk with a doctor first before your choices.

For phototherapy, a treatment doctor will make sure that it’s safe for you. Some people should not try phototherapy. It includes people with lupus, a history of skin cancer, or skin conditions such as Xeroderma pigmentosum, which makes people very sensitive to sunlight.

Some medicines, including some antibiotics, also make you sensitive to a photo, which can affect this treatment.
Phototherapy is considered safe for children and pregnant women. A doctor will adjust how much light you get based on the severity of your psoriasis. Your skin type – how dark or bright your skin is – also affects the amount of light used.

Conclusion:

There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatments can help people control their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Phototherapy can be very helpful in people with moderate to severe psoriasis. Because of the potential for higher risk of skin cancer, people who undergo extensive phototherapy should have their skin checked regularly by a doctor and should get treatment with an expert doctor.

If you are interested in phototherapy as a treatment option, meet doctors at Cosmosure Clinic and ask a doctor if you are the right candidate. Discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor when deciding whether the treatment is proper for you. Contact us at 8331040404 and Book Your Appointment Now!