Phototherapy can be used to treat several skin conditions, including: Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (a type of lymphoma that appears as patches or scaly areas on your skin) Phototherapy uses UV light, which is also found in sunlight. Phototherapy can also be used in combination with other topical (applied on the skin) therapies.
Full Answer
What is phototherapy used to treat?
He used sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light to treat lupus vulgaris , a type of tuberculosis that affects the skin. 1 Since then, phototherapy use has grown. Today, light therapy is widely accepted.
Should I Cover my Body when giving phototherapy?
If you’re only giving phototherapy to certain areas of your body, make sure all other areas are covered. You can cover them with clothing or sunscreen. This keeps your skin from getting burned. If you have any questions about covering your body, ask your doctor or nurse.
What should I monitor when my patient receives phototherapy?
There are five big things to remember when monitoring a patient receiving phototherapy. For a newborn, monitor the patient's temperature to ensure they're warm. For a newborn or an adult receiving light therapy, monitor the placement of the goggles. We need to protect their eyes from retinal damage that the lights could cause.
How does phototherapy work for newborns?
To implement phototherapy, the newborn must be undressed down to the diaper. Phototherapy works by being absorbed through the skin and causing a reaction to occur within the bilirubin. This reaction causes the bilirubin to be altered to a more easily excretable state.
What is phototherapy used to treat?
It's called phototherapy, or light therapy. It uses ultraviolet rays to treat: Skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, or vitiligo. Skin cancers like cutaneous lymphoma.
What diseases are treated with phototherapy?
We use phototherapy to treat skin conditions, such as:Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of skin cancer.Eczema (atopic dermatitis), a condition that causes inflammation and rashes.Other skin disorders that cause itchy skin.Psoriasis, a condition with thick, itchy, scaly and dry patches of skin.More items...
When is phototherapy needed?
A commonly used rule of thumb in the NICU is to start phototherapy when the total serum bilirubin level is greater than 5 times the birth weight. Thus, in a 1-kg infant, phototherapy is started at a bilirubin level of 5 mg/dL; in a 2-kg infant, phototherapy is started at a bilirubin level of 10mg/dL and so on.
How does phototherapy treat jaundice?
Phototherapy is treatment with a special type of light (not sunlight). It's sometimes used to treat newborn jaundice by making it easier for your baby's liver to break down and remove the bilirubin from your baby's blood. Phototherapy aims to expose your baby's skin to as much light as possible.
Which rays are used in phototherapy?
Phototherapy involves shining fluorescent light from the bili lights on bare skin. A specific wavelength of light can break down bilirubin into a form that the body can get rid of through the urine and stools. The light looks blue.
When is phototherapy needed for jaundice?
Phototherapy should be instituted when the total serum bilirubin level is at or above 15 mg per dL (257 mol per L) in infants 25 to 48 hours old, 18 mg per dL (308 mol per L) in infants 49 to 72 hours old, and 20 mg per dL (342 mol per L) in infants older than 72 hours.
How do you treat jaundice?
How Is Jaundice Treated?fluids. A loss of fluids (dehydration) will cause bilirubin levels to rise.phototherapy. Babies lie under lights with little clothing so their skin is exposed. ... exchange blood transfusion. ... intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg).
What is the treatment for jaundice in adults?
In adults, jaundice itself usually isn't treated. But your doctor will treat the condition that's causing it. If you have acute viral hepatitis, jaundice will go away on its own as the liver begins to heal. If a blocked bile duct is to blame, your doctor may suggest surgery to open it.
How does phototherapy work?
How Phototherapy Works. Phototherapy uses UV light, which is also found in sunlight. Photo therapy can also be used in combination with other topical (applied on the skin) therapies. Phototherapy can be given to a specific area of your body or to your entire body if more than 5% of your skin is affected.
What is phototherapy procedure?
This information explains what phototherapy is and what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. The goal of phototherapy is to reduce the growth of your skin cells and to treat underlying skin inflammation . Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, does this by putting ultraviolet (UV) ...
How long does it take for phototherapy to work?
It may take 6 to 8 treatments before your skin starts getting better. For some people, it may take 2 months to see improvement.
What is the treatment for scaly skin?
Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, does this by putting ultraviolet (UV) light on your skin. Phototherapy can be used to treat several skin conditions, including: Psoriasis (raised, red, scaly patches on your skin) Vitiligo (loss of color on patches of your skin) Eczema (a condition that makes your skin red and itchy)
How to do a total body skin exam?
Do a total body skin exam by looking at all your skin. They will also ask about your reaction to sunlight. Ask you about your personal and family history of skin cancer and photosensitizing disorders (disorders that make your skin more sensitive to the sun). Ask if you’re pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding.
What medications can make your skin more sensitive to UV light?
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, such as retinoids (including tretinoin), certain antibiotics, cancer medications, and others can make your skin more sensitive to U V light.
Does Memorial Sloan Kettering do phototherapy?
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) doesn’t currently do this procedure. If you’re having phototherapy in a doctor’s office, you will need to find a local dermatologist that does this as an in-office procedure.
Abstract
Of all the therapeutic options available in Dermatology, few of them have the history, effectiveness, and safety of phototherapy. Heliotherapy, NB-UVB, PUVA, and UVA1 are currently the most common types of phototherapy used.
Introduction
Phototherapy consists of the therapeutic use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It can be performed with exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The wavelengths administered and the UV radiation doses vary according to the proposed indication. 1
History
For many centuries, sunlight treatment or heliotherapy has been instituted for the treatment of skin diseases. In Egypt and India, 3,500 years ago, people had the habit of using plant extracts or seeds, with subsequent exposure to the sun for the treatment of skin diseases. 6
Mechanism of action
UVR is absorbed by the chromophores (molecules that have the capacity to absorb certain wavelengths), such as DNA, nucleotides, lipids, amino acids, trans-urocanic acid, and melanin. UVR causes changes in the structure and function of chromophores.
Other types of phototherapy
This phototherapy model was introduced in the therapeutic arsenal of Dermatology in 1997. As a subtype of NB-UVB, with a wavelength of 308 nm, it was approved for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and vitiligo in the United States.
Indications
Psoriasis is the disease that is most commonly treated with phototherapy. In addition to being effective, phototherapy is considered a safe option. It is usually indicated when topical treatments do not show good results or are not practical for the patient, such as those with extensive psoriasis.
Other phototherapy indications
The mechanism of action of phototherapy in reducing the pruritus is unclear. NB-UVB decreases the production of IL-2, a cytokine related to pruritus, induces apoptosis of dermal mast cells and reduces the release of neuropeptides, such as substance P.
Phototherapy
Have you ever seen blue lights shining on a newborn in the hospital? Those lights are phototherpy lights. Have you seen a patient with a yellow skin tone? That condition is called jaundice. The skin appears yellow because bilirubin has a yellow pigment, so elevated levels mean more yellow pigment, making the skin appear yellow.
Implementation
Let's look at how phototherapy is used for hyperbilirubinemia. A newborn that has hyperbilirubinemia might appear yellow on assessment (remember bilirubin is pigmented yellow so high levels = yellowing skin tone). Hyperbilirubinemia can be diagnosed by examining bilirubin levels. A blood sample is collected for a total bilirubin test.
Monitoring
There are five big things to remember when monitoring a patient receiving phototherapy.
About This Quiz & Worksheet
Take this quiz and worksheet to examine your comprehension of phototherapy procedures. In order to be successful on this quiz, you should possess a strong understanding of how phototherapy is used. You should also be comfortable answering questions about a sign of hyperbilirubinemia and how to ensure that phototherapy is working.
Additional Learning
To learn more information about phototherapy procedures, visit the lesson called Phototherapy: Implementation & Monitoring. This lesson helps students with the following objectives:
