Update: Home Phototherapy For Psoriasis Is Cost
In our article about psoriasis in the June 2010 issue of Harvard Women’s Health Watch , we mentioned phototherapy using ultraviolet B , a treatment that usually requires 30 sessions at a hospital or clinic. We noted that home therapy systems are available but did not compare them with clinic-based treatment. Now, a Dutch study in the medical journal BMJ has found that home phototherapy devices are as cost-effective as hospital-based treatment. An earlier study by the same group had shown that home phototherapy is at least as safe and effective as conventional outpatient phototherapy. The study involved about 200 people with psoriasis randomly assigned to receive phototherapy at home or at a hospital.
At the end of treatment, costs were roughly equal: $950 for hospital-based sessions and $1,000 for home devices . Therapeutic benefits were also similar: 82% of the home therapy patients and 79% of the patients treated at a hospital showed an improvement of 50% or more. Most patients in both groups said they would prefer home phototherapy if they needed treatment again in the future.
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The Process Is Usually Divided Into Two Phases:
To reach the fullest effect, you should start with a week of minimum exposure to the light no more than 30 seconds for each affected area per day. After reviewing the results, you can gradually increase this time up to one minute. Your main goal should be in finding the minimum exposure time for the best effect its a peculiarity of UVB narrowband psoriasis treatment.
IMPORTANT:
- Only the affected skin areas must be exposed to UVB lamp light
- One must not undergo more than 2 weeks of treatment without breaks
A Guide To Using Light Therapy For Psoriasis
How this underused treatment can help
When ultraviolet light hits skin, it does all kinds of things, says Steven Feldman, MD, PhD, a professor of dermatology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. Ultraviolet light kills the immune cells in the skin that contribute to psoriasis, and research suggests that UV light may also disrupt the faulty signals between immune cells and skin cells that lead to psoriasis lesions.
With relatively few side effects, phototherapy is an effectiveyet underusedtreatment, experts say. Phototherapy is a great treatment to start with, says Kathy Kavlick, RN, community outreach nurse for the Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis in Cleveland. Some people get really good results from it.
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Sunbeds Sunlamps And Natural Sunshine
Using a sunbed at a gym, salon or spa is not the same as having UV therapy in a hospital setting. Firstly, hospital-based UV treatment uses only the specific part of the spectrum that is useful to treat skin conditions. This is not the case on a sunbed, where a much broader spectrum is used. Many sunbeds use mostly, or entirely, UVA light, which is ineffective for treating psoriasis without the added psoralen. Therefore, using sunbeds means taking on the risks of UV exposure, without much of the benefit to psoriasis.
UV treatment in hospital is very carefully controlled a Dermatologist will administer the right amount of exposure for each individual, and monitor the results. If a person uses sunbeds or an at-home lamp in addition to this, it makes it difficult to ensure they are receiving the correct dose for them.
It is also important to follow sun safety advice, even if your psoriasis improves in the sunshine, in order to prevent potential side effects such as skin cancer and premature ageing. Sunburn can actually aggravate psoriasis or trigger a flare, so do use a suncream with a high SPF and re-apply it regularly. Aim to cover up with a hat, t-shirt and sunglasses, and avoid being out in the intense sunlight in the middle of the day.
What Is Puva Treatment
PUVA is a combination of UVA light and a chemical called psoralen . UVA is not beneficial in treating psoriasis on its own instead it must be combined with psoralen which makes the skin more sensitive to the UVA light. Psoralen can be taken as a tablet, applied to the areas of the skin being treated as a gel or cream, or added to bath water to soak the whole body. It will depend on what areas of the body are being treated as to which method is used.
PUVA is used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis that has not responded to topical treatments, or UVB therapy. PUVA can be more successful on thicker plaques of psoriasis than UVB, as the UVA is absorbed deeper in the skin. For the same reason, hand and foot psoriasis is often treated with PUVA therapy.
Like UVB, PUVA is given in a phototherapy unit and administered by a team of health professionals. A Dermatologist calculates precisely how much UVB light each persons skin should be subjected to, and will increase the exposure as appropriate over the course of the sessions. Treatment is usually given twice a week, for a period of five to eight weeks. The individual stands in the PUVA cabinet for a period of a few seconds to several minutes at a time.
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Broadband Ultraviolet B Light Therapy
Broadband ultraviolet B light therapy is an older form of phototherapy than NB-UVB. The two treatments are similar.
However, BB-UVB lamps and light bulbs emit wavelengths of light between 270 and 390 nm.
As with NB-UVB, your starting dose will depend on your skin type.
According to a small 1981 study, 90 percent of people had clear skin after having sessions three times a week and an average of 23.2 treatments.
One hundred percent of people had clear skin after having sessions five times a week and an average of 27 treatments.
BB-UVB is considered less effective than NB-UVB and is more likely to cause side effects. It should be reserved for instances where NB-UVB isnt a treatment option.
BB-UVB is most effective for plaque psoriasis, although it can also be used for guttate psoriasis.
It can be prescribed as a monotherapy or alongside retinoid acitretin . In combination therapy, the skin clears up faster, and lower doses of UVB can be used.
Instructions For Patients Attending For Uvb Phototherapy
- Keep all scheduled appointments. Allow time for changing.
- Tell the staff about your health problems, including eye disease.
- Let the staff know if you take any medications. Some may make you more prone to burning.
- Do not apply any ointments or cosmetics except as directed by your doctor or UVB staff.
- Avoid natural sun exposure on treatment and non-treatment days.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to face and hands before treatment.
- Cover male genitalia – this area should not be exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
- Arrange to be seen regularly by your dermatologist.
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Targeted Ultraviolet B Light Therapy
Targeted ultraviolet B light therapy is applied to small areas of the body. It often involves the use of an excimer laser, excimer light, or NB-UVB light.
If you have psoriasis over less than 10 percent of your body , this treatment might work for you.
This approach exposes you to fewer UV rays overall, which will reduce side effects and health risks. It also results in faster clearing of the skin.
For best results, it should be performed two to three times a week.
Targeted UVB therapy can be used to treat:
- plaque psoriasis
- scalp psoriasis
- psoriasis on the soles or palms
Excimer lasers are more effective than excimer lights or targeted NB-UVB lights. Adults with plaque psoriasis can combine excimer laser therapy with topical corticosteroids.
What Are The Benefits Of Uv Comb For Scalp Psoriasis:
Recent studies have shown that there are multiple benefits of uv comb for scalp psoriasis and are listed below:
It is simple, safe and painless treatment for scalp psoriasis It is a convenient treatment and which can be administered at home It is a effective device that delivers UV radiation at a specific wavelength It is easy to use, portable, affordable and hand-held device It effectively removes scales and smoothens the scalp skin
Buying UV Comb – UV311 from No.1 Medical equipments Manufacturers, Suppliers and Dealers is just a Click away
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Series Clears Your Skin
- Light treatments are typically very brief, and occur about three times a week.
- Results vary, but psoriasis symptoms usually begin to show improvement inas little as 6 8 treatments vitiligo commonly begins to re-pigmentwithin about 8 weeks.
- This medical device requires a prescription from your doctor.
Three Things I Disliked About The 7 Series Daavlin Phototherapy Unit
The Daavlin 7 Series does have some drawbacks, including price, assembly, and the learning curve to program the control panel:
- The Cost My insurance provider did not approve coverage for home phototherapy, even with my dermatologists prescription. I decided to pay out of pocket for it, with the support of friends and family. I did appreciate, though, how Daavlin discounted the unit to $3,650 for me as a patient paying out of pocket discounted from $5,450.
- Assembly The unit comes in a large wooden freight box. My son and his friend helped move the unit to the bedroom from the garage. It took us a couple of tries to get the feet and supports assembled correctly due to the weight of the unit. I could not attach one of the four grills that cover each pair of bulbs.
- Confusing Instructions I studied the instruction manual carefully, but learning how to program the control panel and set the safety timer took some time to figure out.
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What Is Narrowband Uvb Treatment
Narrowband UVB is used to treat guttate and plaque psoriasis that is particularly widespread or has not responded to topical treatments. Narrowband UVB treatment may sometimes also be referred to as TL-01 this is the name of the most commonly-used narrowband UVB lamp.
UVB treatment is given in a phototherapy unit usually in a hospital Dermatology department or clinic – by a team of health professionals. A Dermatologist calculates precisely how much UVB light each persons skin should be subjected to, and will increase the exposure over the course of the sessions.
Treatment is usually given two or three times a week, for up to ten weeks. The individual stands in the UVB cabinet for a period of a few seconds to several minutes at a time. Depending on which areas of the body are being treated, they may be advised to cover up certain areas, and leave other areas exposed. You should always ask your Dermatologist or the member of staff administering the UVB treatment if you have any questions about this.
Treat Psoriasis At Home: Ultraviolet Lamps
Psoriasis Patients Find Home Treatment Less Burdensome, Equally Safe and Effective as UVB Treatment in Clinical Settings
May 7, 2009 — Home treatment of the skin ailment psoriasis with ultraviolet light lamps is at least as safe and effective as conventional phototherapy at hospitals or clinics, according to new research.
Ultraviolet B treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source. People find home therapy less of a burden and are more satisfied with it than in clinical settings, researchers in the Netherlands report.
Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause significant disability.
Although light therapy is safe and effective, the researchers say few people in Great Britain ever receive it because of limited availability of UVB light boxes, and time constraints of UV treatment at hospitals or clinics. Typically, a course of treatment requires three visits per week for eight to 10 weeks.
Another reason light therapy isnât widely done at home is that most dermatologists believe home therapy is inferior to treatments administered in a medical setting, and carries more risks, researchers say, adding that there is no evidence to support such beliefs.
The research team from the University Medical Center Utrecht, the University of Groningen, and St. Antonius Hospital compared the safety and effectiveness of home phototherapy with standard hospital-based phototherapy.
The study is published in bmj.com.
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How Does Phototherapy Work
In short, regular sessions, the affected areas of the skin are treated with ultraviolet light. The skin cells are stimulated and return to their normal state. Although there is no complete cure for psoriasis, more than 80% of the patients report phototherapy treatment to significant improve or eliminate most symptoms. Therapy devices can range from compact handheld devices to complete Walk-in cabins for full-body treatments.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect both the skin and joints. Its not contagious and affects nearly three percent of the worlds population. If you have Psoriasis, your body excessivly produces new skin cells. This creates scaly reddened patches that often become painful and itchy.
A phototherapy is a gentle low-risk treatment with excellent success rates for psoriasis. There are mainly two types of UV treatments available that differ in their spectral distribution.
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a genetic, non-contagious skin disease. The skin develops white, sometimes even slowly spreading patches that are lacking their normal skin pigments. The good news is these patches are not harmful medically speaking, nor do they produce pain or discomfort. They can, however, mean a great deal of emotional stress and a loss of self esteem.
Atopic Dermatitis
What Is The Daavlin 7 Series Phototherapy Unit
The Daavlin 7 Series is a home phototherapy unit used to treat certain skin conditions. It can have up to 12 six-foot-long bulbs. These bulbs look like the fluorescent bulbs found in an office building or garage. Phototherapy bulbs emit a purplish glowing light that can be ultraviolet A or ultraviolet B .
The unit my doctor and I agreed on comes with eight NUVB bulbs, with four in the center and two on each of the side doors that can fold closed when not in use. Having more bulbs increases the intensity of the light and decreases the time needed to receive the prescribed dosage of light. Instead of using a timer that comes standard with the unit, I opted for the extra cost of Daavlins Flex Dosimetry controller, which measures the exact output of light for each treatment session. That way, I can treat at home as precisely as I would at a clinic.
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Light Up Your Life And Restore Your Skin Health With A Psoriasis Lamp
Use a psoriasis lamp if you have the chronic skin condition psoriasis. This condition, caused by an overactive immune system, is aided by phototherapy with a psoriasis lamp when its ultraviolet light targets the cells of the skin in the top layer. This can aid in reducing plaque formation by damaging those skin cells, and it can reduce symptoms over time.
How is light therapy effective for psoriasis?
The National Psoriasis Foundation asserts that light therapy is an effective and recommended treatment for psoriasis. Ultraviolet B, or UVB, is present within natural sunlight. Psoriasis lamps recreate this natural phenomenon. This type of light works by penetrating the top layer of the skin and slowing the growth of those skin cells that are affected. Treatment with UVB is offered in a few different ways: small units for such localized areas as the feet or hands, handheld units, and full body units. Some use LED bulbs others use traditional UV bulbs.
How long does phototherapy take for psoriasis?
While every individuals response to the treatment varies as regarding the time it takes to show results, the average is between 4-10 sessions before results are seen. Narrowband UVB treatment time depends on the specific case of psoriasis. It is important to keep up the sessions in order to see results the recommended treatment frequency is twice per week, with at least a 48-hour span between treatments.
Handheld lampsBroadband and narrowband UVB phototherapy
General Facts On Uvb Sun Lamp Psoriasis Treatment
The epidermis of the human skin has the ability to absorb light of certain wavelengths. This peculiarity is found to be extremely useful when treating skin disease. A newer type of UVB, called narrowband UVB, emits the part of the ultraviolet light spectrum band that is most helpful for psoriasis.The UVB psoriasis lamp uses that feature and affects the skin on the cellular level. It emits light from the very part of ultraviolet spectrum that stops the diseased cells growth.
Broadband UVB treatment has been cancelled in most clinics because narrowband is a lot more effective. It is also easy to use, so anyone can cure psoriasis at home with just one device.
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Heres What Happened When I Tried It
Using the phototherapy unit is as simple as programming the control box and standing in front of the light bulbs at a set distance for the prescribed dosage. The control box is attached at the center at about eye level. Before starting a treatment, Im required to enter a security code to activate the unit. Next, I enter the shutoff time a safety feature that is calculated based on the expected dosage and intensity of the bulbs output.
Finally, I enter the dose of narrow band ultraviolet light prescribed by my dermatologist before pushing the start button. My doctor determined the starting dosage of light based on my skin type. However, because of a bad experience with overexposure in a previous treatment, she agreed that I could start at a much lower dose. With subsequent treatments, I increased the dosage until I reached the target number.
Since my skin is affected from head to toe, I need to undress before starting the treatment. The intensity of the light can burn my face and genitals, so I cover them up. I also wear goggles provided by the manufacturer to protect my eyes from the ultraviolet light rays. The unit treats one side of my body at a time. When Im done treating the front of my body, I push two buttons simultaneously on the control panel to repeat the treatment settings for my back.