How Light Therapy Can Help Your Skin this Winter
Do you suffer from eczema, hives, or psoriasis? Does it flare up in the winter? If so, light therapy is a great solution to provide your skin relief. The dermatologists at the Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute can help you diagnose eczema, hives, and/or psoriasis and can also provide light therapy treatment if it is needed. We help you learn more about how to identify eczema, hives, and psoriasis and how light therapy can help take control of these skin conditions.
Conditions You Could Use Light Therapy For
Eczema Overview
When you have eczema, you will notice red, swollen, scaly blisters. Your skin may also be itchy and dry. Infants up to adults are subject to eczema triggered by different conditions. Eczema can be caused from an allergic reaction, but the cold air can also exacerbate the condition. When you go outside in the winter, make sure your skin is protected from the cold to avoid a flare up.
Hives Overview
Hives appear anywhere on the body in the form of red and raised bumps. They can be caused by an allergic reaction, medication, or infection, but they can also arise from cold weather in the winter. When you step outside in the cold and your skin is not protected, it can cause a rash that results in hives. When the weather is cold, be sure to bundle up and protect your skin to prevent hives from occurring.
Psoriasis Overview
Psoriasis is a skin disease that results in inflamed and thick, red skin accompanied by shiny scales. It can be in small patches or cover entire areas of the body such as the scalp, elbows, knees, legs, or arms. Three percent of the US adult population is affected by psoriasis. The cause of psoriasis is unknown but is thought to be an abnormality of the white blood cells. The cold weather in the winter can trigger psoriasis and cause a flare up to occur. Living with psoriasis can affect your everyday life, but light therapy can help restore your emotional and physical health.
Light Therapy Treatment
Light therapy, or phototherapy, can help treat eczema, hives, and psoriasis. Light therapy uses sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light to slow the rapid growth of skin cells that results in eczema, hives, and psoriasis. The light helps your skin make more vitamin D, which helps to ease inflammation and encourages wounds to heal. During treatment, a moisturizing oil is applied to the skin, and then you will stand in a light box. The affected skin will be exposed to the light emitting machine for just a few minutes. Frequent visits will be needed to see results. After treatment, your skin may be itchy or red, but this effect will eventually disappear.
If you are unsure if you have eczema, hives, or psoriasis, we can help provide a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, we can provide you light therapy treatment to make you comfortable in your skin again. If you are in Bloomington, Illinois or the surrounding areas, complete this form to get ahead of your skin conditions this winter.