Psoriasis is a chronic disease that affects the skin and nail plates. Despite the fact that this is a complex and serious disease that is difficult to treat, it is not dangerous to human life. Consider the features and principles of the irradiators for the treatment of psoriasis, what are their advantages and disadvantages.
What is psoriasis and what are its features?
Psoriasis is the most studied disease, but at the same time difficult to cure. So far, doctors can not come to an unequivocal conclusion, for exactly what reasons, there is a pathology that affects the skin and nail plates.
It is known that psoriasis is not contagious, because it is caused by a reaction of the body itself, and not by bacteria and microorganisms from outside. During the pathology, the cell life cycle accelerates. If the cell normally lives up to 30 days, with pathology - only five.
Signs of psoriasis:
- peeling of the skin;
- itching
- redness and inflammation of certain areas on the skin.
Sometimes the pathology does not manifest itself in any way and is in the so-called "sleep mode", and sometimes it escalates. Most often, the pathology affects the areas on the bends of the upper and lower extremities and those areas where the clothes are very close to the body. But it can affect other parts of the body. According to statistics, about 3% of the world's population suffers from psoriasis to one degree or another.
Types of Psoriasis:
- vulgar - the most common (found in 80% of patients);
- teardrop - small rash;
- pustular - a rash in the form of small pustules;
- palmar-plantar;
- exudative - is extremely rare.
In most, pathology occurs between the ages of 15 to 25 years. The disease is hereditary. It is impossible to cure it, modern medicine says, but its manifestations can be minimized. Irradiators in this case have proven themselves best.
Types of irradiators
For the treatment of psoriasis in modern medicine, not only medicines for internal and external use are used, but also irradiators. They are of several types and differ among themselves in the device, principle of operation and scope.
Types of irradiators for the treatment of psoriasis:
- Stationary Most often used in medical institutions to treat a large number of patients. Lamps can be in the form of panels, as well as cabins, where a person is placed. There are UV irradiators with vertical and horizontal arrangement, that is, the procedure can be carried out both standing and lying. The device has software in order to individually select the power and duration of the procedure in each case. Their use is recommended if the area of damage to the disease is large.
- Portable (mobile). These are irradiators for treating psoriasis at home. Recommended for use when the lesion area is small. You can purchase this device yourself, depending on its power and exposure range.
Varieties of portable irradiators
Most often, three types of portable devices, both domestic and foreign, are used for home use in the treatment of psoriasis.
Popular mobile irradiators for treating psoriasis at home:
- Psoriasis UVF irradiator. The device is a manual type, where the irradiation occurs in narrow and short waves. It is used locally. The impact on the duration should be no more than 3 minutes per area. If you use the device for the scalp, the exposure time can be increased to 15 minutes. If redness or irritation occurs, the duration of the procedure should be reduced. Exposure to the irradiator eliminates inflammatory processes, activates local immunity and promotes the growth of healthy cells and tissues.
- Irradiator for the treatment of psoriasis Ultramig. A device that uses narrow-band UV radiation. The irradiator is installed on any convenient surface and is designed to treat large areas of skin or hard to reach places.
- Dermalight from Philips. Narrow-wave irradiator, sessions with which can be carried out up to 4 times a week. To improve the condition will require up to 20 procedures. The device minimizes the process of division of affected cells, so they become less pronounced and decrease in size. Also, under the influence of ultraviolet, itching and peeling pass.
Regardless of the device selected, the procedure is carried out with safety glasses, since UV radiation can cause burns to the cornea of the eye. When buying a device for home use, it is worth checking the quality certificate and familiarizing yourself with the safety characteristics in order to avoid negative consequences.
Contraindications for UV exposure
Despite the fact that the UV irradiator is used quite often in the treatment of psoriasis, there are contraindications to its use.
Irradiation is not applicable for:
- allergic manifestations or individual intolerance to ultraviolet radiation;
- the presence of malignant neoplasms, especially on the skin;
- the period of bearing the baby or breastfeeding;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- dermatomyositis;
- porphyria.
These pathologies significantly affect the effect of treatment of psoriasis, therefore, in the presence of such factors, the use of ultraviolet radiation is possible only with the permission of a doctor.
The principle of operation of UV irradiators
Irradiators for the treatment of psoriasis have been used for a long time by medical institutions. Their operating principle is based on ultraviolet rays. They can be of two types: Beta-UV and Alpha-UV. The first option is used to destroy the affected cells. In the second type of radiation, special plant substances are used that reduce the radiation dose.
The rays that penetrate the skin in the treatment of psoriasis affect the affected areas of the skin and prevent their reproduction.
Advantages of UV irradiators:
- their use leads to prolonged remission;
- combined with other treatment methods (drug therapy);
- do not affect the human body and do not cause inconvenience when using (there is no pain during the procedure);
- do not affect the protective function of the body;
- practically have no side effects;
- apply to both children and adults;
- can be used both at home and in the clinic.
UV lamps for psoriasis
Previously, sun baths were used to treat psoriasis. Now there are special lamps for this, the principle of operation of which is based on ultraviolet light. Sometimes they are also called quartz. UV lamp has a stimulating effect, helps stop and reduce the inflammatory process.
In addition to special lamps, combs also worked well. For example, the irradiator in the treatment of psoriasis 311, affects medium-wave radiation on the affected area. Due to the fact that the teeth are transparent, it can be easily used as a regular comb. It is easy to use the device at home, but since UV lamps have contraindications, you should consult a doctor before use.
Also, many have the question whether psoriasis can be treated with a blue lamp, it is also called a Minin reflector. It was often used with the USSR. Using a blue lamp will not bring any effect, since it is neither quartz nor ultraviolet.
Irradiator for the treatment of psoriasis Ultramig 311
This is a portable irradiator, which is chosen by most patients with psoriasis. Its advantages are simplicity of design, and therefore ease of use. It is also a small device that is easy to use at home and regularly conduct therapy.
The Ultramig is a portable device that does not need to be kept in use. It is placed on the floor and rotated in the right direction. Despite the fact that the device is mobile and compact, its rays affect a sufficiently large area affected by the disease. Most often used to irradiate the back, abdomen and hips. It can be used not only for the treatment of psoriasis, but also for other skin diseases. You can purchase the device in any specialized store.
According to reviews, an irradiator for the treatment of psoriasis helps to remove the inflammatory process in the acute stage, accelerate recovery and minimize the possibility of relapse.
Conclusion
Many methods are used to treat psoriasis, the most common of which is the use of irradiators. They are convenient for use both in the clinic and in home use. When buying a mobile device for treatment at home, you should consult a specialist and choose the necessary dose, as well as the duration of the procedure. The type and modification of the home UV irradiator depends on this.
Irradiators for the treatment of psoriasis are modern devices that help significantly minimize the risk of developing a relapse of the pathology and remove the inflammatory process faster than drug methods. But it is worth remembering that device therapy is used only in combination.