Topical Agents Commonly Used With UV Light Therapy For Psoriasis

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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Using Light Therapy For Psoriasis Treatment

While finding the most effective treatment for psoriasis can be a challenge including finding effective home remedies for psoriasis, light therapy for psoriasis is another treatment method that has been found to be effective for many psoriasis sufferers. The use of natural sunlight or artificial light for the treatment of psoriasis has been known to be beneficial for those with psoriasis.

Light Therapy For Psoriasis

Usually finding the treatment that works to prevent psoriasis flare-ups will involve a lot of trial and error especially if you are searching for natural psoriasis treatments that will help you reduce or eliminate the various symptoms of psoriasis. This is certainly true when experimenting with various home remedies for psoriasis and what is more natural than using sunlight to treat psoriasis.

While sunlight is natural, it can also be deadly if care is not used when using light therapy for psoriasis. There are three types of radiation that are associated with sunlight - ultraviolet (UV) radiation, infrared radiation and the visible light spectrum.

1. Ultraviolet Radiation

Ultraviolet light waves are the most effective light therapy for psoriasis treatment.

2. Infrared Radiation

This light cannot be seen but can be felt in the form of heat in some cases (longer infrared light waves). Shorter infrared light waves on the other hand cannot be felt.

3. Visible Light Spectrum

These are the only light waves that can be seen and they are seen in the form of colors of the rainbow.

UV Light Waves and Psoriasis

As mentioned previously, UV light waves are the most beneficial part of sunlight that are generally used during light therapy for psoriasis. The three types of UV rays in sunlight are;

Light therapy for psoriasis uses mainly UVA and/or UVB light waves. UVC rays cannot penetrate the earth's protective ozone layer.

UVB rays are the main part of sunlight that cause a change in skin color or a tan and these rays are also responsible for sunburn. UVB can be used on their own or in combination with various other treatments including home remedies for psoriasis in order to treat psoriasis and prevent flare-ups.

In the case of the use of UVA rays during light therapy for psoriasis, the treatment is only effective when the UVA rays are combined with psoralen which is a chemical that reacts with someone's DNA when in the presence of light and is mainly used in light therapy for severe acne and psoriasis. Using UVA rays without combining with psoralen will usually be ineffective in the treatment of psoriasis.

Precautions to Take

While light therapy for psoriasis is an effective treatment, many dangers still persist and it is important to consult with your doctor before beginning this therapy. It is very important to gain an understanding of how your skin will react when light therapy is administered. You will need to let your doctor know first if you are taking any medications that may increase your sensitivity to UV rays, if you have other health problems that may also increase your sensitivity to UV rays as well as if you have a history of skin cancer.

If you have a history of skin cancer, light therapy for psoriasis should be avoided to prevent you from increasing your risk of developing new skin cancers. Using artificial light sources such as those used in phototherapy can increase your risk of developing melanoma (the most severe type of skin cancer) especially if the therapy is for an extended period. When using this type of therapy over an extended period, it is advisable to have your skin regularly checked to ensure that you do not develop melanoma or other skin cancers.

There are many therapies that are effective for treating psoriasis such as drugs, following a psoriasis diet, home remedies for psoriasis, etc, and light therapy for psoriasis is another beneficial treatment for patients with psoriasis. Before beginning this therapy, it is important to talk to your doctor because of the various damaging effects of sunlight and artificial light including skin cancers and premature aging. For more information on psoriasis, visit http://www.squidoo.com/light-therapy-for-psoriasis.

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