Psoriasis has been known to mankind for a long time. For the first time it is mentioned in the Bible, but so far there is no complete understanding of the causes of such rashes. Scientists are trying to link this disease to complex disorders of the immune and endocrine systems, and also consider it to be hereditary. But absolute success was achieved only in one thing - there was a firm belief that this disease is not a manifestation of infection of the body. In other words, psoriasis is not contagious.
What is Psoriasis?
Another name for this disease is scaly lichen. It mainly affects the scalp, the outer side of the elbows and knees, on which dark pink scaly eruptions appear. Among these, psoriatic plaques form quickly. They have a pronounced white growth, consisting of dense scales, which cause cracking of the affected areas, accompanied by itching and the formation of oozing sores. Despite the fact that the causes of rashes are unclear, the mechanism of their appearance is well understood. With the appearance of psoriatic scales, the life cycle of epidermal cells in these areas and in adjacent areas is sharply reduced to 4-5 days, unlike the normal 28-30 days.
Is psoriasis dangerous?
Since its etiology is unclear, but there is compelling evidence that the disease is systemic, affecting not only the skin but also internal organs, it results in the following disorders in the body:
- the appearance of psoriatic-like changes on the mucous membrane of the urethra and bladder
- causes subacute conjunctivitis, lens sclerosis, and other eye and eyelid diseases
- 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 gradual weight loss
It is possible to list the complications that psoriasis entails for a long time, but from this short list it becomes clear that the disease is serious and dangerous. The situation is aggravated by the fact that currently therapeutic agents are able only to control and suppress the course of the disease, but not to cure it. Psoriasis is permanent, but can be accompanied by long periods of remission.
What can cause an exacerbation of the disease or provoke its relapse?
Despite the fact that the manifestations of psoriasis are not systematic, certain factors can provoke the appearance of rashes in various areas of the skin. Therefore, patients should be aware of them and, if possible, be wary of their influence. The following causes aggravate the course of the disease:
- Overweight. It is noticed that among those who suffer from psoriasis, the majority of those who have varying degrees of obesity.
- Stress. Many patients notice that their psychological reaction to traumatic situations and circumstances exacerbates the manifestations of the disease.
- Some medications taken by the patient for various reasons can cause a relapse.
- Hypothermia.
- Damage and scraping of psoriatic plaques. It has been noted that in the vast majority of cases, mechanical irritation of squamous lichen causes it to grow and new rashes to appear in nearby areas.
- water procedures. In some people, after taking a bath or swimming in a pond, an exacerbation of the course of the disease is observed.
- Sunlight. Moderate sun exposure in psoriasis is considered beneficial by doctors. But there are a number of patients who claim that such baths provoke an exacerbation of the disease in them. Moreover, no matter how long they were under the sun. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to tan with psoriasis still has no clear answer. To decide for yourself whether the sun's rays are useful or harmful in this case, you need to take into account several factors at once: individual tolerance to the sun, color and type of skin, stage of the disease and its form.
Ultraviolet for psoriasis: advantage or disadvantage
- Light therapy as one of the treatments for psoriasis:
- PUVAtherapy is a photochemotherapy whose mechanism of action is quite difficult to understand. Often used in the treatment of exudative and vulgar psoriasis. Very effective for rashes on the scalp, palms and feet. 3-4 sessions of ultraviolet irradiation 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. Up to 5 procedures per week are prescribed for exudative and vulgar psoriasis. The radiation dose in the absence of erythema is increased each time. Complete course of treatment - 20 - 30 sessions. It 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: good or bad?
The main difference between tanning in a solarium and in the sun is that under artificial conditions, the production of melanin occurs without exposure to dangerous ultraviolet rays, in particular UV-C rays, which are harmful to the skin during tanning. Solariums do not use this type of radiation. However, at the initial stage of the manifestation of the disease, artificial tanning helps to suppress the development of rashes. Therefore, doctors do not recommend the treatment of psoriasis with a solarium, but they do not find contraindications to its use as a therapeutic agent.
The effect of radiation in a solarium on the skin
- UV-A rays have a beneficial effect on patients with psoriasis, seborrhea, acne, neurodermatitis.
- UV-B rays trigger the process of active production of vitamin D3, which reduces the effect of stress on the body, and they, as is known, cause psoriatic rashes.
Thus, a visit to the solarium cannot have a negative impact on the course of the disease and can, to some extent, suffocate it. But why then are there people who are only harmed by artificial tanning sessions? The answer is that the combination and the power of the lamps in the solariums are different. When choosing a living room, you need to find out about its spectral composition, one of the most important characteristics. The lamps are designed with various combinations of UV-A and UV-B radiation. For example, those with UV-B 1% or less are conventional, and those with UV-B greater than 1% are professional.
It is also important to have a reflector. If not present, the radiation hits weakened skin, and if present, then concentrated. The reflector can be located both in the lamp itself and outside it. Whether or not there is a reflective layer in the lighting device, you can understand if you look at the lamp through the light. If so, then its radiation efficiency is 10% higher than that of conventional radiation.
Therefore, for the treatment of psoriasis with a solarium to be beneficial and not harmful, it is necessary to choose the right tanning studio with the right combination of UV rays. Too much of it is always harmful to the skin and leads to the formation of tumors and other problems. 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 report of ultraviolet radiation has a Daavlin photo booth, which gives light of a narrow spectrum nbUVB 311nm. Those who visit it note a marked improvement in their condition. The course of therapy is 20-30 sessions.
Therefore, the question: does a solarium help psoriasis can be confidently answered - yes. But it is important not to rashly choose a studio close to the place of residence, but to be interested in the spectral characteristics of the emitting lamps in it. It is important to know that a vertical tanning method is preferable to a horizontal method. The time spent in the cabin should not exceed 5 to 6 minutes and the sessions should be alternated every two days. UV rays in moderate doses help strengthen the immune system. Which is extremely necessary for a patient with psoriasis.