Dermatology Therapeutics
Medically supervised administration of ultraviolet light B (UVB) is used to control widespread or localized areas of stubborn and unmanageable psoriasis lesions. It is used when topical treatments have failed, or it is used in combination with topical treatments.
The short-term risks of using UVB for treating psoriasis are minimal. The long-term risks of UVB are the same as the chronic effects of sun exposure: skin cancer and skin aging. However, long-term studies of large numbers of patients treated with UVB have failed to demonstrate an increased risk of skin cancer, suggesting that this treatment may be safer than sunlight. Therefore, UVB treatments are considered to be one of the most effective therapies for moderate to severe psoriasis with the least amount of risk. Your physician will need to check your skin periodically.
UVB at The Methodist Hospital's Dermatology Therapeutics Center
We:
- Have stand up total body UVB boxes.
- Use standardized typing of skin
- Calculate by amount of millijoules rather than by time.
- Keep records of time taken and amount given.
- Individualize therapy by standard charts as well as patient's response to therapy.
- Have our UVB Boxes in private rooms.
- Have an RN always in room while patient is in box.
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