Eczema Treatment: UVB Light Often Effective In Treating Eczema


by Rich Fuller - Date: 2007-01-19 - Word Count: 458 Share This!

Treatment with UVB light is considered one of the safest forms of phototherapy for widespread eczema that has not responded to medications applied to the skin. Usually three to five treatments a week are recommended, with a gradual increase in UVB exposure depending on the skin type. Significant clearing of eczema can usually be expected in one to three months.

Exposure to UVB light must be carefully monitored to prevent sunburn. During treatment, the eyes must be shielded with goggles to guard against the possible formation of cataracts. Your doctor will take special precautions to protect your eyes so that your vision will not be affected the by treatments. Premature skin aging may also be a side effect of prolonged use of UVB treatments.

Natural sunlight contains ultraviolet light. UV light kills "T" cells in skin, reducing redness and slowing the overproduction of skin cells that cause scaling. This is why brief, regular periods of sun exposure can help to clear psoriasis. Prolonged time in direct sunlight is not recommended because of the possibility of skin damage, including skin cancer. Exposing the skin to UV light in carefully controlled doses, as is used in phototherapy, is considered much safer because it is administered under controlled conditions.

Sunlight contains two kinds of UV light known as UVA and UVB. Both can be used to treat eczema. In phototherapy, the affected person sits or lies inside a "light box" a booth fitted with special light-emitting tubes. Usually people go to a doctor's office to receive phototherapy. Sometimes a light box can be purchased with a doctor's prescription for use at home. If you are prescribed a light box for use at home it is absolutely essential that you follow the instructions carefully. Improper use could result in skin damage.

Phototherapy involves the use of light to treat a medical condition. Ultraviolet light therapy improves eczema symptoms in some people. Phototherapy may incorporate ultraviolet light or may combine the use of ultraviolet light with psoralen, a drug that increases light sensitivity. Psoralen may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Psoralen can cause short-term side effects such as nausea, headache, bringing and itching. Some of these side effects can be avoided if psoralen is taken with food. When psoralen is applied to the skin, it is applied as a cream, lotion or a gel solution.

While ultraviolet rays occur nationally in sunlight, excessive sun exposure causes sunburn, which can make the symptoms worsen. Phototherapy uses carefully measured amounts of ultraviolet light, a safety measure that cannot be duplicated by simple exposure the sun.

Long term studies have found no evidence of an increase in the risk of skin cancer eczema if it is treated with UVB therapy that is properly administered by a medical professional.


Related Tags: eczema treatment, eczema symptoms, treating eczema, eczema remedy

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