Psoriasis has been known to mankind for a long time. It is first mentioned in the Bible, but so far there is no complete understanding of the causes of these skin rashes. Scientists are trying to link this disease to complex disorders of the immune and endocrine systems, and also consider it inherited. But absolute success was achieved in only one thing: there was a strong belief that this disease is not a manifestation of infection of the body. That is, psoriasis is not contagious.
What is psoriasis?
Another name for this disease is scaly lichen. It mainly affects the scalp, the outside of the elbows and knees, in which dark pink scaly rashes appear. From them, psoriatic plaques soon form. They have a pronounced white growth, consisting of dense scales, which provoke cracks in the affected areas, accompanied by itching and the formation of flowing wounds. Despite the fact that the causes of rashes are not clear, the mechanism of their occurrence is well understood. With the onset of psoriatic scales, the life cycle of epidermal cells in these and adjacent areas is significantly reduced to 4-5 days, in contrast to the normal 28-30 days.
Is psoriasis dangerous?
Since its etiology is not clear, but there is convincing evidence that the disease is systemic, affecting not only the skin but also the internal organs, it leads to the following disorders in the body:
- the appearance of psoriatic-like changes in the mucosa of the urethra and bladder.
- provokes subacute conjunctivitis, lens sclerosis and other diseases of the eyes and eyelids
- with an exacerbation of the disease, an increase is observed in the liver with hepatocellular insufficiency and splenomegaly
- enlarged lymph nodes
- has muscle weakness, their atrophy with a tendency for progressive weight loss
It is possible for a long time to list the complications leading to psoriasis, but from this short list of them it is clear that the disease is serious and dangerous. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that currently, therapeutic agents are only able to control and suppress the course of the disease, but not cure it. Psoriasis is permanent, but can be associated with long periods of remission.
What can cause a worsening of the disease or provoke its recurrence?
Despite the fact that the manifestations of psoriasis are unsystematic, there are factors that can provoke the appearance of rashes in different areas of the skin. Therefore, patients should be aware of this and, if possible, beware of their impact. The following causes worsen the course of the disease:
- Overweight. It is noted that among those suffering from psoriasis, most of those who have varying degrees of obesity.
- Stress. Many patients notice that their psychological response to traumatic situations and circumstances exacerbates the manifestations of the disease.
- Some medications taken by the patient for various reasons can provoke a relapse.
- Hypothermia.
- Damage and scratching of psoriatic plaques. It has been observed that in the vast majority of cases, mechanical irritation of scaly lichen causes its growth and the appearance of new rashes in nearby areas.
- water procedures. In some people, after taking a bath or swimming in a pond, a worsening of the course of the disease is observed.
- Sun shine. Moderate exposure to sunlight in psoriasis is considered beneficial by doctors. But there are a number of patients who claim that such baths cause worsening of the disease in them. Moreover, no matter how long they were under the sun. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to sunbathe with psoriasis still does not have a clear answer. To decide for yourself how beneficial or harmful sunlight is in this case, you need to consider several factors at once: individual tolerance to the sun, skin color and type, stage of the disease and its shape.
Ultraviolet for psoriasis: benefit or harm
- Light therapy as one of the treatments for psoriasis:
- PUVA therapy is photochemotherapy, the mechanism of action of which is quite difficult to understand. It is often used in the treatment of exudative and vulgar psoriasis. Very effective for rashes on the scalp, palms and soles. 3-4 sessions of ultraviolet radiation are prescribed every week, until the complete disappearance of psoriatic plaques. On average, 15-25 procedures are required, including local exposure sessions.
- SFT therapy is selective phototherapy. For exudative and vulgar psoriasis up to 5 procedures per week are prescribed. The radiation dose in the absence of erythema increases each time. Full course of treatment - 20 - 30 sessions. Has a pronounced therapeutic effect in 85-90% of cases.
- UVB therapy is phototherapy, which is comparable in its effectiveness to PUVA therapy. The course of treatment is 20-30 procedures.
Psoriasis and solarium: benefit or harm?
The main difference between tanning in a sunny room and in the sun is that under artificial conditions, melanin production occurs without exposure to dangerous ultraviolet radiation, in particular, UV-C rays, which are harmful to the skin during sun exposure. Solariums do not use this type of radiation. However, in the initial stage of disease manifestation, artificial tanning helps to stifle the development of rashes. Therefore, doctors do not recommend treating psoriasis with solarium, but they find no contraindications to its use as a therapeutic agent.
The effect of radiation in a sunroom on the skin
- UV-A rays have a beneficial effect in patients with psoriasis, seborrhea, acne, neurodermatitis.
- UV-B rays begin the process of active production of vitamin D3, which reduces the effect of stress on the body and they, as it turned out, provoke psoriatic rash.
Thus, a visit to the solarium can not have a negative impact on the course of the disease and, to some extent, can stifle it. But why then are there people to whom artificial tanning sessions only hurt? The answer is that the combination and power of lamps in solariums is different. When choosing a salon, you should ask about their spectral composition, one of the most important features. The lamps are designed with different combinations of UV-A and UV-B radiation. For example, those with UV-B 1% or less are classics, and those with UV-B above 1% are professionals.
It is also important to have a reflector. If it is not present, then the radiation hits the weakened skin, and if it is present, then concentrated. The reflector can be placed both inside and outside the lamp. Whether or not there is a reflective coating on the lighting device, you can tell if you are looking at the lamp through the light. If there is, then the efficiency of its radiation is 10% higher than that of a conventional one.
Therefore, for the treatment of psoriasis with solarium to be beneficial and not harmful, it is necessary to choose the right tanning studio with the right combination of UV radiation. Excess is always harmful to the skin and leads to the formation of tumors and other troubles with it. The ratio of UV-A and UV-B rays is very important for patients with psoriasis. The best option here would be the following combination: UV-B waves with a length of 311 nm. and UV-A waves 300-400 nm. This ratio of ultraviolet radiation has a Daavlin photo booth, which gives light of a narrow spectrum nbUVB 311nm. Those who visit it notice a sharp improvement in their condition. The course of therapy is 20-30 sessions.
Therefore, the question: does a sunroom with psoriasis help can be answered with confidence - yes. But it is important not to choose without thinking a studio near the residence, but to be interested in the spectral characteristics of the lamps that emit in it. It is important to know that a vertical tanning method is preferable to a horizontal one. Time spent in the cabin should not exceed 5-6 minutes, and sessions should be alternated every other day. UV rays in moderate doses help strengthen the immune system. What is extremely necessary for a patient with psoriasis.