Get Time Tested, Proven Psoriasis Treatments with Phototherapy
Are you one of the 7 million people in the United States suffering from Psoriasis? Are the symptoms of psoriasis causing you pain, itching, limited
joint motion and emotional distress? There are many different
psoriasis treatments on the market today, but none are as free of
minimal side effects and as convenient as phototherapy – a safe and
effective psoriasis treatment option that has helped many patients find relief from their skin condition.
What Causes Psoriasis?
* "No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body's surface in 28 to 30 days. But a psoriatic skin cell takes only three to four days to mature and move to the surface. Instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up and form the lesions."
What Are Your Treatment Options?
Psoriasis treatments fall in to three main categories: oral
medications, topical medications, and phototherapy treatment at your dermatologist’s office – or in the convenience of your own
home! Systemic medications (biologics) like Enbrel, Amevive and Raptiva are also used to treat psoriasis.
How Does Phototherapy Work?
Exposing affected skin cells to UV light through short, frequent
sessions of exposure causes the skin cells to die, eliminating or improving symptoms, providing relief from psoriasis for many people. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, phototherapy treatments can significantly help!
The UVBioTek Home Phototherapy System allows you to
receive this highly effective treatment right in your own home --
safely, conveniently, and privately.
Are There Different Types of Phototherapy Treatments?
Yes. Depending on your circumstances, your doctor may prescribe phototherapy using light in the Ultraviolet-A (UVA) or Ultraviolet-B (UVB) range for treating psoriasis.
When comparing the two, UVB has the added advantage of producing
fewer adverse side effects, as the long-term use of the psoriasis
medication psoralen is eliminated!
- UVA: When using UVA light, doctors often combine UVA
phototherapy with an oral or topical medicine called psoralen.
The addition of psoralen (PUVA) makes the skin more sensitive to
the UVA light, producing a greater effect than UVA light alone,
but introducing the potential for side effects from using
psoralen.
- UVB: An improved understanding of UVB light allowed doctors
to better refine phototherapy treatment by including a very
precise range of UVB wavelengths, called Narrowband UVB light (NbUVB).
Evidence has given new hope to psoriasis sufferers and suggests
that NbUVB phototherapy treatments offers even better treatment
results than broadband UVB therapy for certain patients.
Currently NbUVB is one of the main psoriasis treatments for
patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. Broadband UVB lamps emit a broad range of light over the UVB spectrum.
How Frequent Are The Psoriasis Treatments?
Your doctor will prescribe phototherapy in short, non-burning
sessions which are typically administered every other day. Once your
psoriasis is under control, your doctor may also prescribe
maintenance treatments to keep future outbreaks under control.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of psoriasis treatments – and
will even pay for a home phototherapy system that allows you
to treat your skin condition safely and effectively – from the
convenience of your own home – on YOUR schedule!
As with any medical treatment, consult your physician about the
advantages of phototherapy to see if a UVBioTek Home Phototherapy
System is right for you!
Additional Information
The Emotional Effects of Psoriasis
Treating Pediatric Psoriasis with Narrowband UVB Phototherapy
* Source: National Psoriasis Foundation - http://www.psoriasis.org/about/faq/
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