Phototherapy
A medical procedure known as phototherapy uses artificial or natural light to treat a patient's illness. Light-emitting diodes, halogen lights, sunlight, and ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent light bulbs can all be used as a kind of treatment.Heliotherapy and light therapy are additional terms for phototherapy. Whether phototherapy is being used for psoriasis, eczema, or other medical diseases will determine what kind of treatment you require and how the light is employed.The use of light therapy to treat certain illnesses is described in this article. A few of the hazards are also covered.Phototherapy is a skin treatment that uses light to address certain skin conditions and promote overall skin health. Here are some benefits and reasons why phototherapy may be needed:
1. Treatment of Psoriasis: Phototherapy, particularly narrowband UVB therapy, is highly effective in treating psoriasis. The UVB light slows down the excessive growth of skin cells and helps reduce inflammation, resulting in improved symptoms and clearer skin.
2. Management of Eczema: For individuals with eczema, phototherapy can provide relief by reducing itchiness, inflammation, and redness. Both UVA and UVB light can be used depending on the severity and type of eczema.
3. Vitiligo Repigmentation: Phototherapy, specifically PUVA therapy, is commonly used to treat vitiligo. It combines a photosensitizing medication with UVA light exposure to encourage repigmentation in the areas affected by depigmentation.
4. Acne Treatment: Blue light therapy, also known as photodynamic therapy, can effectively target and kill acne-causing bacteria without causing significant damage to the surrounding skin. It is used to reduce acne breakouts and improve the overall appearance and texture of the skin.
5. Convenience and Accessibility: Phototherapy can be a useful treatment option for individuals who are unable to achieve satisfactory results through topical medications or cannot tolerate systemic medications. It provides an alternative approach that is less invasive than some other treatments.
6. Non-invasive and Drug-free: Phototherapy is generally considered a safe and non-invasive treatment option, especially when administered under medical supervision. Unlike some medications, it does not involve oral intake or potential side effects associated with systemic drugs.
It is important to note that while phototherapy can offer significant benefits, it should always be performed under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They will assess your specific condition, determine the most suitable type of phototherapy, and monitor your progress to ensure effectiveness and safety. It's always recommended to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare professional to discuss your options and decide if phototherapy is appropriate for your individual needs.
To what extent does phototherapy work?
The ailment being treated determines how successful phototherapy is. Phototherapy works wonders for psoriasis and eczema, among other skin disorders.
Following light therapy, between 50% and 90% of psoriasis patients report symptom improvement or remission (Trusted Source).
But according to the American Academy of Dermatology, phototherapy is most effective for those who can attend their scheduled treatments. You might need to go to phototherapy treatments two to five days a week in order to observe results.
A review for 2021, According to multiple studies cited by Trusted Source, children's eczema symptoms were reduced by 60% as a result of UVB treatment. After receiving phototherapy, 76% of children with eczema in a smaller trial (Trusted Source) reported having clear or nearly clear skin.At their 12-month follow-up, over 53% of them still had clear skin.Exchange transfusions are uncommon in today's neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and are only employed as a last resort when phototherapy is unable to prevent kernicterus in infants with severe jaundice.
In its most basic form, phototherapy is the process of using light to change the body's bilirubin molecules into isomers that are soluble in water and can be eliminated by the body. Normal bilirubin (4Z,15Z-bilirubin) absorbs light and transforms into two isomeric forms: configurational isomers and structural isomers. Z-lumirubin is the primary structural isomer of bilirubin. 4Z,15 E-bilirubin is the primary configurational isomer of bilirubin. While structural isomerization is irreversible, configurational isomerization can be reversed. Bilirubin's configurational and structural isomers can be eliminated into bile without going through the liver's glucuronidation process because they are less lipophilic than regular bilirubin.
.. However, after being excreted into bile, some configurational isomers of bilirubin return to their original form and can be reabsorbed through the enterohepatic circulation in the stomach. Urine can also contain structural bilirubin isomers, such as Z-lumirubin.
Additionally, when bilirubin absorbs light, excited-state bilirubin molecules are created. These molecules then combine with oxygen to produce colorless oxidation products, also known as photooxidation products. Compared to configurational or structural isomerization, this process proceeds more slowly. The primary excretion of photooxidation products is in urine. The conversion of normal bilirubin to configurational isomers, structural isomers, and photooxidation products, together with the corresponding pathways for excretion from the body, are shown schematically in the graphic below.
