• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Skin Problems / Could Light Therapy Help Your Itchy Skin?

Could Light Therapy Help Your Itchy Skin?

light therapy

For many people with psoriasis and other skin conditions, taking certain precautions to protect their skin as well as using the right medications are enough to keep the disorders under control. However, for those who are dealing with moderate to severe forms of the disease, doctors may recommend other treatments. One such option is phototherapy, which is otherwise known as light therapy.

What Counts As Light Therapy

It may sound like standing in the sun is all you need to get a dose of light therapy but it’s a bit more complicated than that. This kind of therapy involves the targeted use of ultraviolet (UV) light on the areas that are affected or the entire body in some cases.

Depending on the type of treatment you’ve chosen, you may be dealing with UVA or UVB light. These treatments are typically carried out in controlled areas such as clinics or doctors’ offices though there are doctor-approved home treatments available. 

It’s important to note that using a tanning bed does not count as light therapy as these beds are not designed to expose you to the right level of UV light that is required. 

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

RELATED: The Skinny on Red Light Therapy

The Different Types Of Light Therapy

Light therapy is typically available in two broad categories: ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA). UVB treatment tends to be more widely used as it only interacts with the upper layer of the skin and doesn’t require additional medication. UVA treatment is used in specific circumstances where doctors need to reach the deeper levels of the skin and it must be used in conjunction with a medication known as psolaren. Psolaren makes the skin more receptive to the effects of UVA light. 

A few of the light therapy treatment options include:

  • Broad-band UVB – the oldest form but can also have more side effects. 
  • Narrow-band UVB – more modern and is commonly used to avoid the side effects of the broad-band treatment.
  • Laser UVB – a more targeted form of therapy for people whose psoriasis only affects less than 5% of their bodies. 
  • Psolaren plus UVA (PUVA) – this treatment is available with the topical or oral form of psolaren and can be especially helpful for those who have thick plaques on the skin. 
  • Pulsed dye laser (PDL) – another targeted treatment that allows doctors to focus on lesions.
  • Low-level light or laser therapy – also known as cold therapy and is useful for reducing inflammation.

There are also at-home UV treatment kits that your doctor may recommend after you’ve done the required number of

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease
Continue Reading

The Latest In Skin Problems

skin

The Skincare Diet: Tips For Protecting Your Skin From The Inside Out

When it comes to healthy skin, what you put into your body can be just as important as what you use on it. Though researchers continue to finalize all the links between what people eat and their overall health, a read more about The Skincare Diet: Tips For Protecting Your Skin From The Inside Out
glowing skin

Keep Your Skin Glowing With Good Health

As summer draws near and we prepare to show more skin, you'll want to make sure your skin is glowing and healthy. Being good to your skin is a vital part of your health, and dermatologists have 10 ways to read more about Keep Your Skin Glowing With Good Health
Black skin

7 Facts Blacks Should Know About Their Skin

A few years ago, over 40% of licensed dermatologists disclosed that their medical training didn’t adequately prepare them for diagnosing skin issues specific to African Americans. Though this may seem shocking, it mirrors the overall healthcare disparity when it comes read more about 7 Facts Blacks Should Know About Their Skin
shingles symptoms

Shingles Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

With studies showing that one in three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime, knowing how serious this viral infection is and how it can affect you is important. What are shingles? Also known as “herpes read more about Shingles Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
dryer sheets

Are Dryer Sheets Safe for Your Skin?

Dryer sheets, also called fabric softener sheets, supply wonderful scents that can make the task of doing laundry a more enjoyable experience. These thin sheets are made of nonwoven polyester fabric covered with softeners to help soften clothes and reduce read more about Are Dryer Sheets Safe for Your Skin?
shower

Are You Showering Too Much?

Some individuals don't shower every day. While there's lots of inconsistent advice about how often you should shower, this group might have it right. It may sound counterproductive, but a shower every day could harm your skin. Some dermatologists only read more about Are You Showering Too Much?

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.