Eczema
When Topicals Fail, It's Time for Phototherapy
Phototherapy is a time-tested treatment for eczema that really works.

If you experience the following eczema symptoms:
• Intensely itchy or burning rash
• Dry, red patches of skin that appear scaly, crusty or bubbly
• Painful cracks appearing in the skin
…you are not alone, and phototherapy light may be your solution!

More than 15 million Americans suffer from these painful and uncomfortable symptoms. If you are seeking eczema relief or a cure from the physical and emotional trauma this skin condition causes, talk to your doctor about treating eczema with Safe** and effective light phototherapy treatments available at your dermatologist’s office or in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

What Causes Eczema?
Similar to psoriasis, your immune system seems to play a role. Scientists have not been able to determine the exact cause, but they think it may be an abnormal response of your body's immune system perhaps due to an allergic tendency or an overactive inflammatory response.

The term "eczema" generally includes many different types of inflamed skin conditions including atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. The term ‘atopic’ means you experience an allergic response to irritating substances. Generalized itchiness, also called pruritis, is very similar to eczema in that it also positively responds to UVB light therapy.

Eczema is frequently a lifelong condition, and you may experience flare-ups from time to time. Many people who have this skin condition also often suffer from allergies or hay fever, or have members in their families who do.

Are There Any Treatments for Eczema?
With proper use, phototherapy (also referred to as light box therapy) is one of the most common and successful methods for treating eczema and gaining relief, without the side effects of drugs or steroids. Doctors may suggest either UVA (Ultraviolet A) light combined with the drug psoralen, or UVB (Ultraviolet B) light when prescribing phototherapy treatment.

The UVB light produced by UVBioTek's™ phototherapy equipment provides an eczema treatment either at your dermatologist’s office, or in the privacy of your own home and can be used for different types of this skin condition including facial flare-ups. In addition, home UVB light treatment eliminates the significant risk of adverse side effects from the use of psoralen.

Your doctor will generally prescribe home UVB light treatment for treating eczema in short, non-burning sessions that are typically administered every other day. For sufferers such as yourself who are looking for relief, having a home phototherapy unit to treat frequent flare-ups can immediately improve the quality of your life. You gain convenient access to treatment as soon as there is an onset of symptoms, and keep control of your busy schedule without having to worry about multiple trips to the doctor’s office!

Most insurance companies will cover a good portion of the cost of a UVBioTek™ home phototherapy system. Talk to your doctor today about the advantages of home UVB phototherapy treatments, and discover for yourself a whole new way to gain eczema relief and take back control over your schedule – and your life!

What is Eczema?
Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Eczema
Have you ever wondered what eczema is? Also referred to as dermatitis, eczema is a term used to describe different kinds of skin inflammation. Dry, reddened skin, intense itching, and thick, crusty skin can are the most common symptoms of eczema.

Although the exact cause is unknown, an abnormal function of the immune system is believed to be responsible. Environmental allergens, irritants (sweat, detergents and perfumes) and certain weather conditions are known to trigger some forms of eczema in many people.

Based on the type and severity of the skin condition, the appearance of eczema varies from person to person. In adults, neck, ankle, knee, elbow and facial eczema are common. In infants, the skin condition is usually found on the cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp and neck.

Types of Eczema
There are many different kinds of eczema – some more prevalent than others. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, a chronic condition that usually begins in infancy. Itchy, inflamed skin is a symptom of atopic dermatitis that can come and go if triggered.

Other types include:
Contact eczema
A localized inflammation that causes redness, itching and burning where the skin is in contact with an allergy-causing substance. Skin reactions to detergents, cosmetics and other irritants tend to trigger this condition. A skin reaction to poison oak is another characteristic of contact eczema.

Nummular
This type of dermatitis is usually chronic and most commonly affects the arms, back, buttocks and lower legs in coin-shaped patches of irritated skin. This disease usually occurs in elderly men.

Seborrheic
Yellow tinged, oily and scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face and sometimes other parts of the body are common symptoms. Dandruff and cradle cap are both examples of seborrheic dermatitis. Although the cause of this skin condition is unknown, it tends to run in families and can be aggravated by weather conditions, emotional stress and infrequent cleansing of the scalp.

Neurodermatitis
A chronic skin inflammation caused by a ‘scratch-itch’ cycle. The condition starts when a localized itch becomes extremely irritated when scratched. This eczema results in scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists or forearms and tends to be more common in women than in men. Stress can worsen neurodermatitis by turning the skin thick and leathery over time.

Stasis
A type of dermatitis that is usually related to the circulatory problem - venous insufficiency. It develops on the lower legs and generally occurs in older men and women.

Dyshidrotic
A skin condition that develops on the palms of hands and soles of the feet. Symptoms include clear, deep blisters that itch and burn. Dyshidrotic dermatitis is usually more common during the spring and summer months.

Treatment of Eczema
Although there is no cure, the treatment of eczema prevents inflammation, itching and worsening of the condition. Using mild cleansers and soaps, staying hydrated and other lifestyle changes can help prevent flare-ups. Doctors prescribe the use of corticosteroid creams, oral corticosteroids, topical therapies, and home light phototherapy. Phototherapy is one of the most successful treatments for eczema and carries the lowest risk of
adverse effects.