Psoriasis is one of the severe chronic dermatoses that affects about 2% of the world's population. Bright red itchy rashes in the form of plaques, covered with silver scales, appearing with this disease, can hit any part of the body. In this regard, patients experience significant physical and psychological discomfort, hampering daily life and professional activities.
Treatment of psoriasis is carried out by complex methods with the use of medicines of local and systemic action. In addition, physiotherapy methods are used widely enough at all stages of the disease, some of which allow to achieve a pronounced therapeutic effect. One of them is the treatment of psoriasis by ultraviolet, which has been known and used for many years.
Ultraviolet with psoriasis
During the treatment of the skin by ultraviolet, a beam of rays of a certain wavelength and intensity generated by fluorescent lamps, a laser or light-emitting diodes is induced on the affected areas. The mechanisms of action of ultraviolet procedures are not completely determined, however, it is believed that UV rays inhibit the activity of immune cells attacking epidermal cells in psoriasis and causing inflammatory processes with the formation of a characteristic rash.
There are several methods of ultraviolet treatment of psoriasis, which are divided into two groups:
- Methods of phototherapy - based on the application of different ranges of waves of ultraviolet radiation without combining with other means. With this dermatosis, selective phototherapy, narrow-band medium-wave ultraviolet therapy and the use of excimer ultraviolet light are most often prescribed.
- Photochemotherapy methods are based on various variants of combined use of long-wave ultraviolet radiation and psoralen photosensitizers (drugs capable of absorbing light waves). The main of these methods are procedures with oral or external use of psoralens, as well as PUVA baths.
For the implementation of ultraviolet therapy, various installations are used: cabins for full body irradiation, apparatus for irradiating certain areas, and devices for local exposure only to affected areas. The initial dose of radiation, duration and frequency of procedures are selected depending on the type of lesion, skin type, sensitivity of the patient to radiation and other factors.
It should be noted that today there are special UV lamps for use in psoriasis, but many specialists do not welcome such therapy at home. This is due to the fact that due to non-compliance with the dosage and the time of exposure to radiation, various complications often develop. Therefore, procedures should be carried out in medical offices under the supervision of personnel.
Contraindications to the treatment of psoriasis with ultraviolet
Before starting therapy, patients should undergo examinations to identify possible contraindications to this treatment technique. For this purpose, the following are appointed:
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- biochemical blood test ;
- consultations of a gynecologist, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, etc.
Procedures are prohibited in the following cases:
- intolerance to ultraviolet radiation;
- Malignant skin diseases and precancerous lesions;
- dermatomyositis;
- Gorlin's syndrome;
- porphyria ;
- systemic lupus erythematosus, and others.
In addition, the combination of UV-irradiation and psoralens is contraindicated when:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- cataract;
- absence of the lens;
- significant liver and kidney dysfunctions;
- treatment with arsenic and ionizing radiation in the past.