Ultraviolet therapy has been widely used for psoriasis for almost a century. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is beneficial for psoriasis but the treatment should be managed by a medical doctor as the risk for skin cancer in the long term is always a consideration. In countries with limited facilities, patients still resort to sunlight exposure but modern techniques with UVB lamps are a better and safer option.
Psoralens and PUVA therapy are often used as a phototherapeutic (light therapy) option for patients with psoriasis. These treatments should be managed by a dermatologist with the appropriate equipment and facilities. Here a special chemical known as psoralen is exposed to UVA and it helps ease the skin thickening which is a characteristic feature of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition where inflammation of the skin appears as raised, red patches with silvery to white scales on it. While it is a fairly common condition, it is often misdiagnosed in the early stages, especially in young people.
As a chronic condition, psoriasis will never go away – instead you may have periods where it settles down almost completely (remission) and then it recurs. In some people, psoriasis will occur with other conditions like arthritis – psoriatic arthritis.
