UVB and quartz for psoriasis: advantages and disadvantages

Psoriasis has long been recognized as an incurable disease with a chronic course. And, if it is virtually impossible to cure this disease, then it is quite possible to transfer psoriasis to a stable stage of remission - this is a period when the symptoms of the pathology subside, and the person feels healthy. One of the effective ways to do this is to use ultraviolet and quartz lamps for the treatment of psoriasis: thanks to ultraviolet light radiation, the patient's skin is cleansed and restored.

Advantages and disadvantages

Treatment with ultraviolet and quartz lamps has a number of advantages:

• excellent therapeutic effect (about 80% of patients notice a significant cleansing of the skin from psoriatic plaques);
• the effect of ultraviolet and quartz lamps becomes noticeable after the first few sessions;
• the method is safe and well tolerated by most patients;
• after completing a full course of treatment, patients note the onset of a stable period of remission (from several months to several years);
• the method does not require hospitalization of the patient: most often ultraviolet and quartz lamps are used on an outpatient basis;
• ultraviolet radiation does not cause any discomfort to the patient;
• The method does not cause the body to become addicted, even with a large number of repeated courses.

Among the disadvantages of ultraviolet and quartz irradiation procedures for psoriasis is that this method still has a number of contraindications, which must be taken into account before prescribing this treatment. In addition, it is not recommended to treat psoriasis with ultraviolet and quartz lamps for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with cataracts, as well as for those with light sensitive skin (burns and hyperpigmentation may occur).

Indications for the procedure

Ultraviolet and quartz lamp irradiation is used not only for the treatment of psoriasis. Similar procedures are often prescribed for the following pathological conditions:

• for dermatological problems (dermatitis, eczema, acne);
• for superficial skin damage (bruises, wounds);
• in case of pathologies of the reproductive system;
• for diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• in case of metabolic disorders, endocrine system pathologies;
• for respiratory diseases;
• when the body's defenses are weakened;
• for hemorrhoids;
• for diseases of the ENT organs;
• if there is a lack of vitamin D in the body.

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Preparation

As a rule, the use of ultraviolet and quartz lamps for psoriasis does not require special preparation. However, to improve the effectiveness of the procedures, it is recommended to make some changes in the diet in advance:

• exclude alcoholic beverages and limit consumption of black tea and coffee;
• limit the content of animal fat, salt, and spices in dishes;
• limit the consumption of sugar, confectionery and jam.

In case of psoriasis, it is recommended to include salads from fresh vegetables and fruits, vegetable side dishes, fruit desserts, crumbly porridges, and dairy products in the menu.

Bran, seaweed, and crab meat are considered very useful for psoriasis.

You should try to eat enough foods rich in vitamins and fiber. It is useful to add vegetable oil to dishes, but it is better to reduce the daily share of butter.

Immediately before procedures using ultraviolet and quartz lamps, it is not recommended to actively sunbathe or visit a solarium.

Technique UVB and quartz for psoriasis

To determine the required dose of ultraviolet rays for the treatment of psoriasis, the first session is carried out for no more than 20 seconds. If there is no redness or irritation of the skin, the next session can be carried out 10 seconds longer.

Sessions using ultraviolet and quartz lamps are carried out once every two days, but not more often (once every 3 days is possible).

Healthy skin surfaces can be covered with clothing or treated with a special cream with a protective property of at least 20 SPF.

If the patient has separate hypersensitive areas of skin, they are irradiated separately, according to a special scheme.

If redness appears on the skin after exposure to the rays from the lamp, the procedures are not stopped, but the irradiation time is not increased.

When significant improvements occur, the duration of the sessions is gradually reduced – by 10 seconds each time.

After completing the course of treatment for psoriasis using ultraviolet and quartz lamps, it can be resumed no earlier than 20 days later.

For preventive purposes, irradiation is carried out once every 7 days.

• If you use an ultraviolet or quartz lamp for treating psoriasis at home on your own, the procedure is carried out in accordance with the instructions that come with the UV lamp. A quartz lamp for treating psoriasis should not be used in the acute phase of the disease: first, it is necessary to eliminate the main signs of exacerbation - for example, by using external therapy. An ultraviolet quartz lamp has the best effect during the period of symptom relief.
• Some UV lamps for psoriasis treatment are equipped with a UV dose regulator. This is very convenient, as you can pre-set the device and use it comfortably at home.
• Before you start self-treatment of psoriasis with ultraviolet and quartz lamps, you must take into account that it is necessary to protect your eyes from the rays. Usually, glasses with an anti-ultraviolet coating are used for this purpose. When directing the lamp to a particular area of the body surface, you should avoid areas with birthmarks or other formations, including pigment spots.
• After a session of UV irradiation, it is advisable to moisturize the skin - that is, lubricate it with a moisturizing cream or a special ointment.

Contraindications to the procedure

It is prohibited to use ultraviolet and quartz lamps for the treatment of psoriasis:

• persons with active tuberculosis;
• patients with hypertension of stage II or III;
• patients with gastric ulcer in the acute stage;
• patients with cardiovascular pathologies;
• persons with acute inflammatory processes;
• people with particular hypersensitivity to ultraviolet rays;
• patients with endocrinological problems;
• cancer patients;
• persons with diseases of the hematopoietic system, liver or kidneys.

Also, ultraviolet and quartz lamps for psoriasis may be contraindicated due to the individual characteristics of the patient: for example, they try not to use such procedures for very thin and sensitive skin prone to superficial hemorrhages and dilation of capillaries.

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Complications after the procedure

The majority of adverse effects after treatment with ultraviolet and quartz lamps are associated with inadequate treatment or ignoring the indications and contraindications for such an irradiation procedure.

The most frequent complications occur in approximately 10-20% of cases and are a consequence of an incorrectly selected dose of rays and duration of the irradiation session. Such complications are: redness and irritation of the skin, burns, itching and pain in the areas where the procedure is performed.

Remote consequences of therapy may include:

• photoaging of the skin;
• deterioration of vision, cataracts (if the organs of vision were not sufficiently protected during the procedure);
• increased risk of cancer (especially with frequently repeated courses of treatment);
• worsening of the course of psoriasis (if treatment was carried out during an exacerbation of the disease).

Ultraviolet and quartz lamps for the treatment of psoriasis in most cases have only a positive effect. Complications are rather an exception to the rule: if you properly prepare for the procedure and also competently carry out the treatment, then the likelihood of developing adverse effects will be minimal.