What is Phototherapy and what is its process?

Phototherapy, also called light therapy, means treatment with a special kind of light. It is prescribed to treat atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema.

The most common type of phototherapy used to treat eczema is narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) light. This uses a special machine to emit UVB light, which is the best part of natural sunlight for treating eczema.

Broadband UVB phototherapy, PUVA (Psoralen and UVA), and UVA1 are other forms of phototherapy that may be used in special circumstances to treat eczema.  

Phototherapy helps to:

• Reduce itch
• Calm inflammation
• Increase vitamin D production
• Ramp up bacteria-fighting systems in the skin

Phototherapy is used for eczema that is all over the body (widespread) or for localized eczema (such as hands and feet) that has not gotten better with topical treatments.

About 70% of people with eczema get better with phototherapy. Some people find that phototherapy puts their eczema in a “remittive” or “quiet” state long past the end of the treatment.

There are three main types of phototherapy used for skin disorders:

Broadband UVB: Also known as BBUVB, broadband UVB involves treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis with the full the spectrum of ultraviolet-B radiation.

Narrowband UVB: This involves using only a small portion/part of UVB radiation to treat the skin condition. It is more intense than broadband UVB and it’s the most common phototherapy option used by dermatologists.

PUVA: This stands for Psolaren ultraviolet-A. This involves combining UVA light with a certain kind of chemical called psoralen. Psolaren can be applied to your skin or you can take it as a pill. This chemical is found in plants and it makes your skin more sensitive to the light that’s to be applied. PUVA is more intensive and has more side effects than broadband or narrowband UVB, and is usually only resorted to when treatment with the others have been unsuccessful. It’s used for conditions like vitiligo, cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and psoriasis.

Process of Phototherapy:

Body Part or area that does not need treatment ought to be secured and ensured however much as could reasonably be expected and you will be requested that remove any garments that cover the skin being treated with UV. Some wellbeing steps include:

• Apply Sunscreen to protect your neck, lips and the backs of your hands
• Wear Special glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from UV light
• To be cover the genitals in men
• Apply Sunscreen for nipples and areola in women

KEMPS Skin Clinic is Delhi NCR premiere skin clinic, offering world-class skin treatment for its patients. Dr. Manju Keshri is one of the best dermatologists in Delhi NCR, having wide knowledge and professional experience in treating skin and laser hair removal. 

KEMPS SKIN clinic offers treatments related to  Face rejuvenation, laser hair removal, Skin tightening, anti-aging treatment, acne scar removal and pigmentation reduction etc.