http://www.nirredlighttherapy.com Near Infrared and Red Light Therapy Information Series presents Light Therapy for Psoriasis. Find information about Light Therapy for Psoriasis, a brief understanding of Psoriasis and types of treatment for Psoriasis in this presentation. The presentation also informs the benefits of using light therapy for psoriasis. For more information about Near Infrared and Red Light Therapy, please visit http://www.NIRRedLightTherapy.com/

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By NIRRedLightTherapy.com
Disclaimer: The content within this presentation is to guide and inform only. If you have any
health concerns, it is important to seek medical advice.

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What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a medical condition in which the skin gets scaly.
Psoriasis causes the body’s immune system to think that the patient’s
skin is injured and it goes into overdrive, producing new skin cells at a
rapid rate.
General sign of psoriasis - psoriasis plaque, a raised, red skin patch
covered by a silvery-white coating. Normally seen on elbows, knees,
back and scalp.

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What is Psoriasis?
In psoriasis, immune cells move from the dermis to
the epidermis, where they stimulate skin cells
(keratinocytes) to multiply rapidly.
In an autoimmune disease, the immune system
confuses an outside antigen with a normal body
component, and attacks them both.
But in psoriasis, the inflammation does not seem to
be caused by outside antigens (although DNA does
have an immunostimulatory effect).
Resourced from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis

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What is Psoriasis?
Can be itchy but avoid scratching the plaques as
they can be made thicker by scratching.
Psoriasis flare up can be caused by stress, skin
injury, certain medications, or even strep throat.
People with psoriasis may have higher rates of
depression and anxiety, it can cause a lot of stress.
Join a discussion group or talk to a health
professional to relieve emotional stress.

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- What is Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
(and other treatments)
Two types of ultraviolet light are used in the light therapy
in the treatment of psoriasis
Natural Ultraviolet Light – light directly from the sun
Artificial Ultraviolet Light – light under controlled manner
Use of light booth at doctor’s clinic or prescribed light
box or light belt for use at home
In advanced cases of psoriasis, light therapy for psoriasis
is often supplemented by medications
Therapy for Psoriasis - “1-2-3 approach of treatment”

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- What is Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
(and other treatments)
1-2-3 Approach of Psoriasis Treament
Stage 1 – topical psoriasis therapy, involves the application of
medications right on the affected areas of the skin of the patient
Stage 2 - light therapy for psoriasis involves using controlled amounts of
natural sunlight on exposed, unprotected skin. Artificial form of sunlight
that uses UVB wavelengths is another option.
Stage 3 - the use of medications in combination with ultraviolet light
therapy. Medications are administered through mouth and also through
injections/IV. Stage 3 is used when other drugs administered do not
work. Systemic therapies include the use of oral retinoids(form of very
concentrated Vitamin A) and oral pills such as methotrexate and
cyclosporine to decelerate the immune system . Biologic therapies are
made from the cultivation of living cells in a laboratory and are
administered via injection or IV. Biologic therapies block the body’s
immune system and as such the patient needs to take extra care in
preventing any infections while under these drugs. Since the drugs used
in Stage 3 have dangerous and serious side effects, they are only
administered for severe psoriasis cases when non of the other
prescribed drugs work.

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- Why Use Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
The natural sunlight consists of several bands characterized by varied
wavelengths of ultraviolet light.
T-cells present in the skin, damage it when they remain activated. They need
to be rendered inactive. The job is well carried out by ultraviolet light of the
Sun.
T-cells die when exposed to ultraviolet light. The entire process leading to the
damage of the skin gets affected by ultraviolet light.
The patient tends to show improvement in the texture of his skin in a
gradual manner. The scaly skin slowly disappears too. In other words the
process of scaling gets tampered by the intrusion of ultraviolet light.
Inflammation of the skin gets reduced too.
On the whole light therapy has shown tremendous improvement in the
condition of the skin of a patient affected by psoriasis. More and more
hospitals have started using light therapy for psoriasis.