As those suffering from the persistent itchiness caused by the red rashes of eczema know, it can be a real pain in the neck. Or back. Or anywhere, really. It’s not an uncommon affliction, though. If you’re an American with eczema, you have tens of millions of others with you in that same boat. As with other diseases that affect so many, there are multiple treatment avenues for you and your doctor to discuss.
One of the options to consider is a light therapy called “eczema phototherapy”. We came across an interesting article posted by the website everydayhealth.com. In it they discuss its potential benefits and detriments, and we thought that you too might be interested in what they had to say.*
Benefits and Detriments of UV Light Therapy
According to the piece this therapy helps to calm the skin’s immune system cells, which are responsible for the rashes. The dermatologist they cited indicated that synthetic UV light is superior to actual sunlight, because the doctor is present and can specifically manipulate it in the manner which does the most good for the patient.* Hey, that makes sense to us.
A trio of forms of this treatment currently exist, and regarding them in a direct quote this same dermatologist states, “The benefits of using eczema light therapy are that these therapies often work when other eczema treatments have not, and if done properly they actually have fewer side effects than many of the prescription medications used for eczema,”*
Now, about those detriments. Whether UV rays are manufactured or come directly from the sun, they’re still UV rays. And even if they’re being administered by medical professionals while being used for medicinal purposes, UV rays can still cause the sun skin damage that they so often do.
Everydayhealth.com lists a few of the same potential perils of UV exposure that you regularly find right here on this blog. Among them are sunburn, sun skin damage, (which includes premature aging and wrinkles) and of course the prospect of skin cancer.*
Be sure to ask your doctor any questions you may have prior to starting any form of this therapy. Wear sunscreen daily and don’t forget your Sundicators.
*Source: everydayhealth.com
Sundicators: The Best Skin-surance Under the Sun!