Light Therapy for Psoriasis is Proven Effective

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/light-therapy-for-psoriasis-is-proven-effective/

Light therapy for psoriasis is proven to be an effective method of treatment. Psoriasis is a disease that causes red, scaly patches which appear raised on the skin typically on the scalp, knees and elbows.  This bothersome skin condition is an immune-mediated disease that can be associated with other serious health conditions such as depression, heart disease and diabetes. You should see your doctor if you develop a persistent rash that is not helped with over the counter medication.    

The exact cause of psoriasis is not known, although we do know that it is a disease caused by the immune system.  Genetics are also a known factor in the development of psoriasis. In people with psoriasis the skin cells grow abnormally fast which leads to the buildup of skin lesions.  Both women and men develop psoriasis at the same rate with something usually triggering a flare up. Psoriasis can develop at any age although usually shows first signs within the age range of 15 to 35.  

Psoriasis is diagnosed by a dermatologist or other medical provider after an examination. Your doctor may conduct a biopsy of the affected skin under a microscope, which will present as inflamed and thicker than normal skin and eczema. While conventional treatments provide some relief to patients, phototherapy lamps are providing relief with proven results.  

Light Therapy for Psoriasis Treats Different Types

Light therapy for psoriasis on effective the varying types of this skin condition.  You should learn which type of psoriasis you have to help determine the best treatment.  Your doctor can prescribe the best course of action, which may include phototherapy with a specialty UV lamp. The five types of psoriasis include:

Plaque Psoriasis – this is the most common type of this skin condition with red patches of raised skin that are often painful and itchy, showing most commonly on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.  

Guttate Psoriasis – this form of psoriasis usually first appears in childhood or as a young adult as small, dot-like lesions and may be triggered by a strep infection.  After plaque psoriasis, this is the second most common type.

Inverse Psoriasis – this type of psoriasis appears in folds of the body such as the groin, armpit and behind the knee appearing as smooth, shiny skin.

Pustular Psoriasis – this type appears as white pustules or blisters surrounded by skin.  The pus consists of white blood cells and is not contagious. This appears mostly on the feet and hands but may appear anywhere on the body.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis – this is a severe type of psoriasis leading to fiery red skin spread out over most of the body, leading to the skin coming off in sheets and causing severe pain and itching.  It is the rarest of the of types with only 3 percent of people suffering with psoriasis having this type. It typically appears on patients with unstable plaque psoriasis. This form can be life threatening during a flare up and patients should seek medical attention immediately.  

Light Therapy for Psoriasis Treatment

Phototherapy with UV lamps to treat psoriasis expose the skin to UV light under medical supervision on a consistent basis.  A UV lamp for psoriasis is not the same thing as using a tanning bed, in fact it can be quite harmful and make symptoms worse as the wavelength of UVA and UVB are not the same as in a specially designed phototherapy lamp.

There are different types of light therapy to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, which include:

• Ultraviolet light B (UVB)

• Sunlight

• Psoralen + UVA (PUVA)

UVB Phototherapy for Psoriasis

UVB is present in natural sunlight and proven to be an effective treatment for psoriasis.  UVB treatment is administered either at home under a doctor’s direction or in a medical setting.  If administering light therapy for psoriasis from home, it is critical to follow your physician’s orders and maintain follow up visits. UVB wavelengths penetrate the skin in either a broad band or narrow band.  Narrow band UVB releases a narrower, or smaller, range of UV light.

Your doctor can help to determine which type of UVB wavelength would be best for your skin.  Patients may experience initial irritation which should lessen with continued exposure. UVB may be combined with systematic agents or topical medications to increase the effectiveness.  UVB phototherapy may administered in various way which include small lamp units for localized treatment to feet, hands or specific areas or a full body unit.

The proper type of UVB lamp must be used for effective treatment without causing damage and irritation to the skin.  

Sunlight

Both UVA and UVB are found in natural sunlight, although UVB works best to treat psoriasis.  If attempting to improve psoriasis with natural sunlight therapy, short bursts of exposure are recommended for 5 to 10 minutes at noon daily.  All areas should receive equal exposure and sunscreen should be worn to prevent damage and worsening of conditions. Patients should continue to see their doctor to check for improvement or damage from the sun.  Improvement in symptoms may be seen in several weeks. Patients taking medication to enhance light sensitivity such as Psoralen should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun unless under a doctor’s care.

Psoralen with UVA (PUVA)

UVA is present in natural sunlight along with UVB, although UVA is generally not as effective in treating psoriasis without the use of a mediation to enhance light sensitivity.  Psoralen is administered by a doctor either orally or topically and helps to slow down the excessive growth of skin cells which helps to clear symptoms. PUVA treatment is most effective on plaque psoriasis in stable condition, guttate psoriasis and symptoms appearing on the feet and hands.

LightSources Offers UV Phototherapy Lamps for Psoriasis

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV lamps and lighting solutions to a wide range of industries and applications.  We offer decades of experience and lighting engineers with in-depth understanding of UV technology.  LightSources and our valued European partner, LightTech, are committed to continual research and development to deliver first to market, patented products which outperform the competition with effectiveness, long lasting high performance and cost saving energy efficiencies.  

We understand the technology that goes into every UV lamp offering custom designed lamps with specific wavelengths derived from custom blend phosphors.  LightSources assists OEMs and manufacturers with developing proprietary products to increase their own brand awareness. When you need lamps or lighting solutions for any purpose, including phototherapy lamps to treat various conditions, contact the lighting specialists at LightSources.

Find the Best Lamps for Light Therapy for Depression

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/find-the-best-lamps-for-light-therapy-for-depression/

Using specially designed phototherapy lamps, many people are experiencing relief from a host of medical ailments including the use of light therapy for depression. Ultraviolet radiation has been proven to provide many healthy benefits such as effective air purification. When used properly, UV light can treat many skin conditions and mood disorders.

Light therapy is used to treat acne, eczema, vitiligo, psoriasis, seasonal depression and is even being used to treat non-seasonal depression. Phototherapy should only be used under the care of a physician and is sometimes used in conjunction with other treatment methods such as antidepressants and counseling. Your physician will know which course of treatment is right for you and how to prescribe the right type of lamp with the most effective exposure.

Why You Might Consider Light Therapy for Depression

There are many reasons why you might want to try light therapy for depression, some of the most common reasons include:

• Pregnant or nursing women must avoid certain antidepressants

• Used in conjunction with antidepressants it may decrease the amount of prescription medication necessary

• Light therapy may increase the effectiveness of prescription antidepressants

• Phototherapy may elevate mood to improve the effectiveness of counseling

• Light therapy has very few side effects and is considered to be a very safe treatment

• Your doctor may recommend light therapy

Artificial light is proven to help treat seasonal mood disorders and non-seasonal depression as well. Light therapy emits the right amount of UV exposure to elevate mood much like natural sunlight. This helps people suffering from depression by triggering the brain to increase production of serotonin, a natural chemical in the brain that acts much like antidepressants. This increase in the level of serotonin is proven to help treat non-seasonal depression as well.

Light Therapy for Seasonal Depression

SAD usually affects people living in the Northern Hemisphere during the fall and winter months when exposure to sunlight and daylight hours is significantly reduced. You should speak with your doctor if you experience any symptoms of SAD which include:

• Losing interest in normal activities

• Food cravings especially foods high in carbs

• Withdrawing socially

• Gaining weight

• Fatigue

Light therapy is recognized by the American Psychological Association, as effective treatment for SAD, providing relief to approximately 50% of patients treated. This increases significantly to an improvement in about 80% of patients when the light therapy is customized to an individual’s sleep and wake cycle. The typical treatment includes about 30 minutes of exposure in the morning with a fluorescent white light. Most patients experience an improvement in one week of light therapy for seasonal depression.

Light Therapy for Nonseasonal Depression and Other Conditions

Light therapy is also used to treat nonseasonal depression and many other conditions such as:

• Depression not caused from changing seasons

• Dementia

• Jet Lag

• Adjusting to night work schedules

• Sleep Disorders

Light therapy is successful in treating many conditions including nonseasonal depression and various sleep disorders. People suffering from circadian rhythm disorders have difficulty with regulating regular wake and sleep patterns. This is common in people that work night shifts or people that experience jet lag. A person’s circadian rhythm is like the internal clock that tells the body to become more alert when daylight begins and more tired when daylight diminishes.

Light therapy is proven highly effective at treating a wide range of sleep disorders by helping to “re-set” the internal clock which promotes regular sleep patterns. Light therapy for sleep disorders should be conducted only under the care of a physician experienced in sleep disorders.

LightSources Offers Effective UV Lamps for Light Therapy for Depression

The LightSources Group is recognized as a leading global supplier of high quality, energy efficient and highly effective UV lamp solutions used in a wide range of applications. Our full spectrum UV lamps for depression are specially designed and manufactured with rare Earth phosphors which produce a clear and bright white light with a high coloring index (CRI) in the range of 90 to 100. We design, engineer and manufacture phototherapy lamps used in a wide range of medical uses.

Our lamps are used worldwide for many therapeutic purposes including skin conditions, sleep disorders and light therapy for depression. Our skilled and experienced lighting engineers understand the technology behind the UV radiation and offer in-depth expertise in designing UV lamps with the exact amount of bandwidth and UV exposure prescribed by physicians for many health conditions.