UV light therapy for psoriasis has been shown to be quite effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Of the three types of ultraviolet (UV) light found in sunlight namely UVC, UVA and UVB, UVA and UVB rays are the most beneficial for treating psoriasis. While uv light therapy for psoriasis can be effective using the uv rays alone, it's effectiveness is greatly increased when other agents whether topical or systematic are used in combination with uv light for psoriasis sufferers.
Topical Agents Commonly Used
1. Ingram Regimen
This is when UVB light therapy for psoriasis is used together with Anthralin. Anthralin was used greatly in the past to treat psoriasis but because it is quite messy and stains clothing, it is used less currently. Psoriasis results from an abnormal skin regeneration process and Anthralin is effective at stopping the excessive skin turnover associated with psoriasis. It is also anti-inflammatory and is very effective with plaque psoriasis.
When used under the Ingram Regimen with ultraviolet-B, it more effectively helps to stop the excessive skin regeneration process as well as remove psoriasis plaques. In general, up to 2% of an anthralin cream is applied to the skin and covered with a sauna suit or stockinette. This usually occurs the day prior to exposure to UVB radiation. On the day of treatment, the suit or stockinette is removed and the anthralin is removed using mineral oil followed by a tar bath before exposure to UVB radiation.
After this phototherapy session, the anthralin is then reapplied and the sauna suit or stockinette is used again to cover the skin.
2. Goeckerman Regimen
This uv light therapy for psoriasis is a combination of UVB radiation and tar. Tar has been known for treating psoriasis and psoriasis symptoms effectively for many years. When used in phototherapy, tar makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light which results in a more effective treatment for psoriasis.
UVB radiation used with tar can help to stop the rapid skin cell regeneration associated with psoriasis. This treatment also delivers anti-inflammatory properties to the skin as well as helping to reduce itching and burning associated with psoriasis lesions.
With the Goeckerman Regimen, distilled tar is applied to affected skin before exposure to UVB radiation. After the phototherapy, any excess tar is washed off with soap and water. Distilled tar is applied with a tar bath or applied topically.
One of the disadvantages of using tar with uv light therapy for psoriasis is that it can cause discoloration and staining of the skin and the application is very messy. However, this is a small price to pay for many patients because this method is very effective at treating psoriasis.
3. Calcipotriol
UVB radiation in combination with Calcipotriol is another method for treating psoriasis. Calcipotriol is derived from vitamin D and helps to reduce the excessive cell turnover associated with psoriasis as well as helping to reduce inflammation associated with this chronic skin condition.
When used in combination with twice weekly uv light therapy for psoriasis, it may reduce the amount of UVB required and is usually applied after UVB phototherapy.
4. Tazarotene
This is another topical agent that is used with UVB for the treatment of psoriasis. Tazarotene is derived from vitamin A and comes in the form of a gel or cream that helps to reduce the scales and thickness of plaques associated with psoriasis. Tazarene when used in uv light therapy for psoriasis increases the skin's sensitivity to UVB radiation to help provide more beneficial results from phototherapy.
These are some of the topical agents used in combination with ultraviolet light to make uv light therapy for psoriasis treatment more effective for patients. For more information on phototherapy and how it can effectively work for you to reduce or eliminate psoriasis lesions, visit http://www.squidoo.com/light-therapy-for-psoriasis.
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