Psoriasis has long been known to mankind. It is mentioned for the first time in the Bible, but until now there is no complete understanding of the causes of these skin rashes. Scientists are trying to associate this disease with complex disorders of the immune and endocrine systems, and also consider it hereditary. However, absolute success was achieved in only one thing: there was a firm belief that this disease is not a manifestation of an infection in the body. That said, psoriasis is not contagious.
What is psoriasis?
Another name for this disease is psoriasis. It mainly affects the scalp, the outside of the elbows and knees, where dark pink scaly rashes appear. Psoriasis plaques are soon formed from these. They have a distinctive white growth consisting of dense scales that provoke cracking of the affected areas, accompanied by itching and the formation of weeping sores. Despite the fact that the causes of rashes are not clear, the mechanism of their occurrence is well understood. With the appearance of psoriatic scales, the life cycle of the epidermal cells in these and adjacent areas is greatly reduced to 4-5 days, as opposed to the normal 28-30 days.
Is psoriasis dangerous?
Since the 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 changes on the mucous membrane 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 in the liver with hepatocellular insufficiency and splenomegaly is observed
- enlarged lymph nodes
- there is muscle weakness, their atrophy with a tendency to progressive weight loss
It is possible to list the complications that psoriasis leads to for a long time, but from this short list of them it becomes clear that the disease is serious and dangerous. A further complication is that therapeutic agents can currently only control and suppress the course of the disease, but not cure it. Psoriasis is permanent but can be accompanied by long periods of remission.
What can cause an exacerbation of the disease or provoke a relapse?
Despite the fact that the manifestations of psoriasis are unsystematic, there are factors that can provoke the appearance of rashes on different areas of the skin. Therefore, patients should be aware of this and, if possible, beware of its influence. The following causes aggravate the course of the disease:
- overweight. It is found that among psoriasis sufferers, the majority of those who have various degrees of obesity.
- Emphasize. Many patients note that their psychological response to traumatic situations and circumstances aggravates the manifestations of the disease.
- Some drugs that the patient takes for various reasons can provoke a relapse.
- hypothermia.
- Damage and scratching of psoriasis plaques. It has been found that in the vast majority of cases, mechanical irritation of scaly lichen causes their growth and the appearance of new rashes in nearby areas.
- water procedure. In some people, after bathing or swimming in a pond, an exacerbation of the course of the disease is observed.
- Sunbeams. Moderate sun exposure for psoriasis is considered beneficial by doctors. However, there is a certain number of patients who claim that such baths cause them an aggravation of the disease. Besides, no matter how long they were under the sun. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to sunbathe with psoriasis is still not answered unequivocally. In order to decide for yourself how useful or harmful the sun's rays are in this case, you need to consider several factors at once: individual tolerance to the sun, skin color and type, the stage of the disease and its form.
Ultraviolet for psoriasis: benefit or harm
- Light therapy as one of the treatments for psoriasis:
- PUVA therapy is a photochemotherapy whose mechanism of action is quite difficult to understand. Often used to treat exudative and vulgar psoriasis. Very effective for rashes on the scalp, palms and feet. 3-4 sessions of UV irradiation are prescribed weekly until the psoriatic plaques completely disappear. On average, 15-25 procedures are required, including local exposure sessions.
- SFT therapy is selective phototherapy. With exudative and vulgar psoriasis, up to 5 procedures per week are prescribed. The radiation dose in the absence of erythema is increased each time. Full course of treatment - 20 - 30 sessions. It has a pronounced therapeutic effect in 85-90% of cases.
- UVB therapy is phototherapy that is comparable to PUVA therapy in terms of its effectiveness. The course of treatment is 20-30 procedures.
Psoriasis and solarium: benefit or harm?
The main difference between tanning in a solarium and the sun is that melanin production occurs under artificial conditions without exposure to dangerous ultraviolet radiation, especially UV-C radiation, which is harmful to the skin during sunbathing. Tanning beds do not use this type of radiation. However, at the initial stage of the manifestation of the disease, artificial tanning helps to dampen the development of rashes. Therefore, doctors do not recommend treating psoriasis with a solarium, but do not find contraindications to its use as a therapeutic agent.
The effect of radiation in the solarium on the skin
- UV-A rays have a beneficial effect on patients with psoriasis, seborrhea, acne, neurodermatitis.
- UV-B rays start the process of actively producing vitamin D3, which reduces the effects of stress on the body, and they are known to cause psoriatic rashes.
A visit to the solarium cannot have a negative impact on the course of the disease, but can partially dampen it. But why are there people for whom artificial tanning only harms them? The answer is that the combination and power of lamps in solariums is different. When choosing a salon, you should ask about its spectral composition, one of the most important characteristics. Lamps are designed with different combinations of UV-A and UV-B radiation. For example, those with UV-B 1% or less are classic, and those with UV-B over 1% are professional.
It is also important to have a reflector. If it is not present, the radiation hits the skin in a weakened form; if it is present, it is concentrated. The reflector can be located both inside the lamp itself and outside of it. You can tell whether or not there is a reflective layer in the lamp by looking at the lamp through the light. If so, then the efficiency of its radiation is 10% higher than that of a conventional one.
Therefore, in order for the treatment of psoriasis with a solarium to be beneficial and not harmful, it is necessary to choose the right tanning salon with the right combination of UV radiation. Excess is always harmful to the skin and leads to the formation of tumors and other problems with it. The ratio of UV-A and UV-B rays is very important for patients with psoriasis. The best combination here would be: 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 that emits light with a narrow spectrum of nbUVB 311nmdelivers. Those who visit notice a significant improvement in their condition. The course of therapy is 20-30 sessions.
Therefore, the question: Does a solarium help with psoriasis can confidently be answered with yes. However, it is important not to thinklessly choose a studio close to where you live, but to be interested in the spectral properties of the lamps emitting in it. It is important to know that a vertical tanning method is preferable to a horizontal one. The 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 boost the immune system. Which is extremely necessary for a patient with psoriasis.