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Phototherapy Procedure

Phototherapy Procedure

In this article we explain what phototherapy is and what to expect before phototherapy procedure, during phototherapy procedure, and after your procedure.

The goal of phototherapy is to scale back the expansion of your skin cells and to treat underlying skin inflammation. Phototherapy, also called light therapy, does this by putting ultraviolet (UV) light on your skin.

Phototherapy are often wont to treat several skin conditions, including:

How Phototherapy Procedure Works

light therapy uses UV light, which is additionally found in sunlight. Phototherapy can even be utilized in combination with other topical (applied on the skin) therapies.

Phototherapy will be given to a particular area of your body or to your entire body if over 5% of your skin is affected.

There are 2 main varieties of phototherapy:

  1. Ultraviolet B (UVB)

    There are 2 varieties of UVB phototherapy, including broadband and narrowband (NB-UVB). The difference is that NB-UVB gives off a shorter wavelength of UV light.

  2. Psoralen-UV-A (PUVA)

    This type of therapy uses UVA light and an oral (by mouth) medication called psoralen that produces your skin more sensitive to light.

Before Your Phototherapy

Your doctor will determine if phototherapy is safe for you. To do this, they will:

Tell your doctor what medications you’re taking, including patches, creams, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter medications (medications you get without a prescription). Some medications, like retinoids (including tretinoin), certain antibiotics, cancer medications, et al can make your skin more sensitive to UV light.

If you’re having PUVA light therapy, you may have to see your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to own an eye fixed exam before you start.

Planning Your Phototherapy

Phototherapy is finished in your local dermatologist’s (skin doctor) office but if you’ll need long-term therapy, you’ll talk over with your local dermatologist about doing phototherapy from your home.

Phototherapy in your dermatologist’s office

Este Pearl doesn’t currently do that procedure. If you’re having phototherapy in an exceedingly doctor’s office, you’ll must find an area dermatologist that does this as an in-office procedure.

Your dermatologist will explain what you wish to try to to and the way long you’ll receive your phototherapy.

Phototherapy at home

If you’re having phototherapy at home, you’ll need a home phototherapy machine. Your doctor’s office will send information to the corporate which will send you the machine and directions for the way to use it.

You can find more information about home phototherapy units and firms that offer them at: www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/phototherapy/uvb/home-equipment.

Depending on the kind of home phototherapy machine you employ, you’ll need to:

Fill out a home phototherapy patient form and the other needed forms. Your doctor who ordered phototherapy for you’ll offer you these.
Have your doctor’s prescription that has the kind of therapy and also the dose.

Giving Yourself Phototherapy at Home

After Your Phototherapy

Follow-up

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Call your healthcare provider if you have got the following:

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