Experts note that an integrated approach is important in the treatment of psoriasis. In addition to drug therapy and diet, patients are shown visits to the solarium. We will study the features of the use of ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of the disease, does the solarium really help with psoriasis, are there any contraindications to the procedure, and what rules should be observed when visiting so as not to harm the body.
What is psoriasis?
For the first time, such a pathology as psoriasis or scaly lichen is mentioned in the Bible. But until now, medicine does not know the exact reasons why the disease develops. Most experts agree that psoriasis occurs against a background of disorders in the endocrine and immune systems. It is proved only that the disease is not contagious.
Most often, dark pink rashes, which peel off and turn into plaques over time, affect the knee and elbow bends, as well as the head area. The disease is accompanied by itching, as well as the formation of wounds from which blood can ooze. Doctors noted that psoriasis affects not only the skin, but also the internal organs. With an exacerbation of the pathology, the liver increases in size, changes appear on the mucosa of the bladder and urethra.
Today, psoriasis is an incurable pathology, but with medication, as well as using various therapeutic methods, it is possible to prolong the state of remission and suppress the course of the disease.
Factors contributing to the exacerbation of the disease
Psoriasis manifests itself haphazardly, but there are a number of factors whose influence causes exacerbation, and also provokes the development of new rashes in different parts of the skin.
Such factors can provoke psoriasis:
- overweight - most often psoriasis affects people who are overweight;
- stressful situations - many patients note that the disease is aggravated precisely after psychological stress or stress;
- medicines
- hypothermia;
- damage or stripping of psoriatic plaques - with mechanical action, the disease has the ability to infect new areas of the skin;
- bathing in water - bacteria contained in water can cause a relapse;
- ultraviolet - despite the fact that in most patients moderate exposure to the sun contributes to recovery, there are those who note irritation and relapse of psoriasis after sunbathing even for a short time.
The benefits and harms of ultraviolet radiation in psoriasis
Phototherapy is one of the methods of complex treatment of psoriasis.
Features of different types of phototherapy:
- PUVA therapy (photochemotherapy) - is effectively used in the treatment of the vulgar and exudative type of psoriasis, is effective for rashes of the head, as well as upper and lower extremities (it is prescribed up to 4 sessions a week before plaque disappearance, on average 20 sessions are necessary).
- SFT therapy (selective phototherapy) - up to 5 procedures are performed per week, on average, up to 30 sessions will be required, while the dose of photo-irradiation is constantly increasing, the therapeutic effect is achieved in 90% of cases.
- UVB-therapy is an analogue of PUVA-therapy; up to 30 procedures will be required to achieve the effect.
Solarium for psoriasis: benefits
The main difference between tanning in a solarium and sunbathing is that in artificial conditions there is no harmful ultraviolet radiation. In moderate doses, it is useful in that it improves immunity, remission lasts much longer, vitamin D3 is produced, the level of endorphins rises, and thereby the body becomes resistant to stress.
Also, when visiting a solarium as prescribed by a doctor for psoriasis, there is a decrease in itching, a subsidence of inflammatory processes and the disappearance of pustules. This effect is achieved due to the fact that under the influence of harmless artificial ultraviolet, the best production of melanin occurs, the protective layer of the epidermis and its regeneration increase, and blood circulation is stimulated.
Although it is impossible to unequivocally answer, the solarium will benefit or harm with psoriasis, since the disease progresses individually and it is important to approach its treatment in a comprehensive manner. It was found that in half of patients with psoriasis there occurs an albeit short-term improvement in the condition of the skin.
In general, the procedure has a good therapeutic effect, as it dries out rashes and inhibits the process of death of epidermal cells. But it is necessary to carry out therapy only under the supervision of a doctor, as well as observe the time frame of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Damage to the solarium with psoriasis
10% of patients with psoriasis have a negative effect from visiting a solarium. In addition, it can be harmful if a person has been diagnosed with an allergic reaction to ultraviolet radiation or individual intolerance to ultraviolet radiation.
Also negatively visiting a tanning bed can affect too light and dry skin, with photodermatosis and erythroderma, if the skin has burns or a large number of moles in the area affected by the disease.
Patients are also often asked if it is possible in a tanning bed with psoriasis and in the presence of other diseases. If they do not relate to the work of the cardiovascular system or liver, then you can visit. Otherwise, all the nuances should be discussed with your doctor.
Also, a lot depends on the type of pathology. For example, there is "summer psoriasis", the period of exacerbation of which comes in the summer season. In this case, tanning even in a tanning bed will lead to the opposite effect and will bring harm and not benefit.
Contraindications
Many are interested in the question of whether it is possible to use a solarium in the treatment of psoriasis constantly. Despite the fact that there are no obvious contraindications to this, there are some factors that can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.
When a tanning bed may be contraindicated in psoriasis:
- with a disease that progresses only in the summer, that is, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, respectively, a solarium can adversely affect the skin;
- photodermatosis, erythroderma, or severe psoriasis are a direct contraindication to visiting a salon;
- taking medications with a keratolytic composition that contribute to the death of the stratum corneum are incompatible with a solarium;
- taking medications that increase the photosensitivity of the skin (salicylates, antibiotics, tranquilizers, antidepressants, and even medicinal plants such as St. John's wort) can cause burns when visiting a solarium;
- after the PUVA and UVB therapy procedures, it is worth at least a year to protect the skin from exposure to sunlight;
- disturbances in the work of internal organs can become restrictions when visiting a solarium (mastopathy, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, hypertension);
- pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
- "critical days".
Rules for visiting a tanning bed with a disease
If there is no direct contraindication in a patient with psoriasis to a tanning bed, it is worth asking the doctor about the conditions for receiving such therapy. As a rule, she is appointed twice a year, a course of 10 procedures. The duration of the first session is the smallest, only a few minutes. Although this indicator depends on the specific situation and is determined by the doctor based on the patient's condition. Then the amount of time in the tanning bed increases each time.
Artificial ultraviolet is taken several times a week. After the first procedure, it is worthwhile to see a doctor who will evaluate the patient’s condition and decide whether a solarium positively affects him with psoriasis. If itching or psoriatic plaque began to hurt and increase in size, you should refrain from such therapy.
The basic rules for treating tanning with skin psoriasis:
- medications are taken an hour or two before the phototherapy session, it is also worth considering their compatibility with the solarium (some contribute to increased photosensitivity of the skin, which can cause a burn);
- treatment begins with a trial procedure that lasts no more than a couple of minutes;
- sessions are carried out according to a certain scheme, which is determined by the doctor (changing the schedule can lead to the opposite effect);
- when visiting a tanning bed, it is worth considering the technical parameters of the equipment (the length of the A rays should be 300-400 nm, B - 311 nm).
Reviews
Most patients in the reviews noted the positive effect of tanning beds with psoriasis. It is effective in that it prolongs the time of remission of pathology, exacerbations do not occur so often, and the inflammatory process is faster.
But there are some patients with psoriasis who noted a negative effect on the skin of artificial ultraviolet radiation. As a rule, this becomes noticeable after the first session. Doctors say that science has not yet proven what kind of psoriasis a solarium can cope with, and which not, since the root cause of the disease is unclear.
In any case, a solarium, as an element of complex therapy, is worth a try, it is noted in the reviews.
Output
According to statistics, in more than 50% of patients, solarium with psoriasis, as part of complex therapy, caused a positive effect. But the main thing here is to strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor, who selects the duration and outline of the procedure.